Summits between the USA and USSR

What was SDI/Star Wars?

Reagans policy of an anti-nuclear defence system that could destroy nuclear weapons from space.

What agreement did the Soviets say SDI contradicted?

SALT I

Differing views on SDI:

• USSR thought it would destabilise the ‘balance of terror’ - fuelled them to continue to expand nuclear arms programme.

• Fear that warfare could extend to outer space

• Source of tension between Gorbachev and Reagan in the 1985-88 summits

• Thatcher was sceptical about if it would be feasible and Francois Mitterrand wanted a general agreement on space.

How much did SDI cost the US government?

$26 Billion

Geneva 1985:

• Called to reduce offensive nuclear weapons by 50%

• Eventual elimination of mid-range nuclear weapons

• Ban chemical weapons

• NO CONCRETE OUTCOMES but a general consensus that a ‘nuclear war cannot be won and can never be fought’.

• SDI threatened the balance of MAD.

Reykjavik - 1986

• Called for limitations to 6000 warheads and 1600 delivery vehicles

• Reduce intermediate range to 100 warheads

• Only have nuclear missile bases in the US and Asia.

• No concrete agreements, Reagan suggested removing all nuclear weapons but Gorbachev would not agree until SDI was removed.

Washington 1987

• Employed the INF Treaty, all intermediate-range ballistic and cruise missiles would be ended and destroyed by 1991.

• Gorbachev decided to withdraw from Afghanistan in May 1989

• Gorbachev was still pissed over SDI but would not make it a condition in the INF treaty.

Moscow 1988:

• Intended to focus on START - Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

• Limit nuclear weapons to 5000 on each side

• Focus instead changed to Human Rights, with 7 agreements being signed around it.

• Gorbachev still pissed over SDI

What was signed between Bush and Gorbachev in 1991?

The START treaty

What did Bush not want to tamper with?

He did not want to underplay the job Gorbachev was doing by completely overhauling the old Soviet bloc with Western influence, as he knew Gorbachev was under pressure from the Old Guard.