Attempts to reduce superpower tensions in the 1970s.

What is détente?

A word meaning relaxation in French.

It refers to when there was a conscious effort to continue a relaxation process during the Cold War,, marking its next stage.

How was Nixon’s visits a diplomatic reasons for détente?

Nixon visited Moscow in 1972, focusing on improving relations. He made it clear soviet support for the north vietnamese in the Vietnam war wasn't something that would stop the US pursuing better relation with the soviets.

Nixon visited China in 1972. Although communist, China began to distance itself from the USSR over events in Cuba and Czechoslovakia.Brezhenev was worried a China-US relationship would reduce the USSR’s power and leave it isolated

How was pressure from allies a diplomatic reasons for détente?

There was pressure from allies such as France and the UK to improve relations through conferences and treaties. They were concerned about the potential for escalation.

How was the Cuban missile crisis a diplomatic reasons for détente?

The threat of nuclear missiles during the Cuban Missile crisis led to reflection on both sides about the possible consequences of their aggressive stances. They agreed more communication was needed.

How was linkage a diplomatic reasons for détente?

Nixon pursued a diplomatic policy called linkage.

This was a ‘strings attached policy where the US made efforts to improve economic and political cooperation in return for Soviet cooperation in US attempts to stop the spread of communism in the developing world.

What were the economic reasons for détente?

Brezhnev recognised in the early 1960s and 70s, the US economic and technological progress had far exceeded the USSR’s. He wanted the soviet's to access US technology.

Poor relations between the US and USSR led to the arms race since the 1940s. Both were spending huge percentages of their resources on the military and wanted to reduce this.

The USSR’s agricultural policy led to an unreliable grain supply, and they frequently experienced shortages.

Brezhnev wanted the US to supply the USSR with their grain.

What are military reasons for détente?

Poor relations between the US and USSR led to the arms race since the 1940s. Both were spending huge percentages of their resources on the military and wanted to reduce this.

The Vietnam war was going badly for the USA, and they hoped improving relations with the USSR would lead to them persuading their vietnamese allies to negotiate peace.

Describe US and USSR involvement in the Vietnam war.

The US were allies with South Vietnam against the communist north, who were supported by the USSR and China.

At first the US helped by training, financing and arming the south vietnamese, but this escalated in 1964 to include the American troops.

The US failed to defeat the north vietnamese and ended their direct involvement in 1973.

The war was expensive and embarrassing for the US, and the American public were against the war, with big anti-war protests.

How were nuclear weapons an issue to achieving detente?

The arms race and production and experimentation of nuclear weapons made nuclear war seem like a possibility, and increased tensions between nations to increase developments.

Linkage and the economic problems in the Soviet Union made attempts to limit the arms attractive.

How were nuclear weapons being an issue to achieving detente addressed? (SALT 1)

Talks held over 3 years in Vienna and Helsinki between the USSR and US produced the agreements: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT 1).

Agreements included anti-ballistic missile treaty (ABM) systems allowed at only 2 sites, each site containing 100 missiles. Also, a 5-year freeze on the total number of ICBM and submaine-launched ballistic missile launchers.

Limitations included a lack of limiting the number of strategic bombers (planes designed to bomb enemy targets) and the bombs each side could have.

How was the Vietnam war an issue to achieving detente, and how was it addressed?

The US and USSR were supporting different sides in the Vietnam war, which pitted them against each other.

In his visit to Moscow in 1972, Nixon made it clear he didn’t see Vietnam as an obstacle to the process of detente.

Nixon had visited China 3 months earlier, and Brezhnev didn’t want to see a Chinese-US alliance develop, as Chinese was a communist state, and forming a relationship with capitalist US threatened the USSR’s power.

Brezhnev also wanted access to US technology, reducing arms spending, and further grain sales.

Meeting was symbolically a big step forward.

What was agreed during Nixon's visit to Moscow in 1972?

Nixon agreed to take part in a European security conference from which emerged the Helsinki agreements.

Nixon was keen to show his commitment to detente, and was able to do this by making a public declaration with the USSR.

How was conflict in the Middle East an issue to achieving detente?

The Yom Kippur War in 1973 between the Arabs and Israelis.

Syria and Egypt (armed and supplied by the USSR) made surprise attacks on israel.

After Israel recovered, they were sent replacement military equipment by Nixon.

The two nations were supporting opposite sides and indirectly placed in opposition to each other.

How was conflict in the Middle East being an issue to achieving detente resolved?

Brezhnev put forward a plan - a joint USA-Soviet Union force would be on hand to save the Egyptian army from the Israelis. If the USA refused, the USSR would go separately.

Nixon didn’t want to accept the offer and was angry at Brezhnev’s suggestion of independent action.

Nixon put all US forces, including nuclear strike groups on alert.

As an alternative, the US suggested a UN peacekeeping force of non-nuclear countries intervene in the conflict.

Brezhnev accepted this and the war ended with a ceasefire on october 24, 1973.

How did Nixon’s second visit to Moscow in July 1974 reduce the threat of war?

Agreements from the meeting included:

They would continue to remove the danger of war, particularly a nuclear war.

To limit and eventually end the arms race, especially in strategic warheads. The 2 leaders said their ultimate goal was complete disarmament, which would be monitored by appropriate international control.

They would contribute to the elimination of sources of international tension and military conflict.

Continuation of détente: how was the issue of the space race addressed?

On the Apollo-Soyuz joint mission.

July 17, 1975 - 3 US astronauts and 2 Soviet cosmonauts met up in space as a US apology spacecraft docked with a Soviet one.

There was a symbolic handshake in space between the 2 sides.

Years before this, it would have been inconceivable, so it’s very symbolically important.

Continuation of détente: how was the issue of security and cooperation addressed?

The Helsinki agreements in 1975.

The USA and USSR with 33 other nations made declarations about 3 distinct international issues called ‘baskets.’ the main themes of these baskets were:

• Security - USSR accepted the existence of West Germany. The recognition of Europe’s frontiers

• Cooperation - a call for closer economic and cultural links occurs, which would lead to even closer political agreement.

• Human rights - each signatory agreed to respect human rights and basic freedoms eg freedom of speech, though and religion.

What happened after the Helsinki agreements, relating to human rights?

In 1975, Carter sent a letter to the Soviet dissident (disagreer of their government) Sakharov, supporting the stand he and the others were taking against Soviet authoroties.

Carter’s actions were seen as a ‘gross interference’ in Soviet affairs, which Brezhnev made clear in his speech during the Helsinki talks.

In response, various groups were set up in eastern Europe called ‘helsinki groups’ to monitor the USSR’ adherence to the agreements.

Continuation of détente: how was the threat of Nuclear War addressed?

SALT II - it began I 1974 and the treaty was signed in June 1979.

The terms were:

A 1320 limit on MIRV systems for each side.

A ban on construction of new land-based ICBM launchers.

Limits on deployment of new types of strategic offensive arms.

SALT II to last until 1985.

What happened to SALT II (and detente)?

Ratification (signing) of the treaty didn't take place.

The US Congress didn't believe the limits put forward in SALT II could be verified, and there was a renewed concern over the 2000 troops stationed in Cuba.

Aian late 1979, NATO decided to place long-range missiles in Europe.

Detente was under pressure, but it ended when the Soviet Union invaded afghanistan on december 25, 1979.