13.2. Detente

13.2

China in the 1970s

In the midst of their Cultural Revolution, inwardly focused, committed to communism. USSR as a new adversary in Manchuria

USSR in the 1970s

bureaucratic state under Brezhnev driven by quotas and admin. Gone against M-Lism. Seek to support emerging communist nations and not directly oppose the US

US in the 1970s

Still experiencing the civil unrest from Vietnam. Pressures of re-election for Ford

Henry Kissinger’s theory

nations will readily abandon their ideologies in favour of better security. Proven right with the USSR

Triangular diplomacy

The US exploited the Sino-Soviet Split to have better relations with both. Making overtures to China forced the USSR to make better relations with the USA reactively

Why did triangular diplomacy work

1. USSR feared a US-China coalition would outperform them in power leaving them vulnerable

2. to balance the power of an allied US and China

3. it could facilitate arms reduction negotiations

4. bring trade opportunities before China became a reliable market

Policy outcomes of triangular diplomacy

1. SALT

2. Shanghai Communique (trade between the US and China)

   1. slowing down of Vietnam

Nixon’s re-election

Nixon and Kissinger must extend the war until the next election and losing before then would consign Nixon to defeat. They implied that the USSR and China could improve their relations with the US if they slowed fighting, this allowed a less costly continuation of the war until the 1977 election

Real use of Detente for Nixon

It was about using the new diplomacy with China and USSR for the election, not for peace in Vietnam