Reasons for détente

what country wanted détente for economic reasons

USSR

The USSR economy had…If they….

• fallen behind the USA’s

• reduced spending on the arms race they could update the Nation’s economy

The living standards in the USSR were….If they…

• very low

• spent less on weapons they would be able to improve them

what country wanted détente because of social reasons

USA

….had led to rioting in the USA - they needed to concentrate on home affairs

Inequality between rich and poor

Urban rioting in the USA caused by the…

assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968.

There were huge demonstrations in the US about the…

Vietnam War and about the USA taking a less active role in international affairs

The USA wanted détente for political reasons, such as….

Nixon was elected President largely due to a promise to remove US troops from Vietnam. He wanted to focus his attention on the Vietnam War rather than the Cold War

The USSR wanted détente because of political reasons, such as…

The  Soviet’s  believed it was a good time to make a deal with the US. They believed they were the equals of the USA militarily. Reducing spending on weapons would be a safe policy

The USSR & USA both wanted détente because of political reasons, such as…

Wanted to avoid nuclear war, greater discussion would lead to reduced tensions and therefore a lessened risk of war