Detente and its limits

Some historians consider European Détente distinctly different from US Soviet Détente. Why?

1. European détente more regional; west Germany (Ostpolitik), France, focused on easing tensions and amending ties within Europe 

2. US-USSR détente more strategic, arms control treaties, global influence  

3. Regional versus global—regional tensions want to be calmed 

Who were the leaders of détente in the USSR?

1. Khrushchev

2. Brezhnev

Who were the leaders of détente in the US?

1. Kennedy

2. Johnson

3. Nixon

4. Ford

5. Carter

Was détente genuine?

1. US administration still believe they would win but more necessary/efficient step to get there  

2. Détente not ending war but managing tensions 

3. American view of Soviets; just playing them to get ahead in the arms race 

4. BUT significant changes did occur 

Was SALT I a complete failure?

1. Not a complete failure

2. Froze parts of the arms race by placing strategic limitations on some weapons (ICBMs)

3. Allows countries to equal the arsenals out but doesn't address the MIRVs

4. Still a continuation, especially if you're adding 3 warheads a day to the MIRVs 

What were the reasons for SALT I?

1. Efforts to manage nuclear weapons as a means of preventing global nuclear war resumed in 1969

2. Building on earlier agreements

3. Test Ban 1963

   Non-proliferation 1968

4. Czechoslovakia 1968 had stalled proceedings

What were the agreements made during SALT 1?

1. The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, 26 May 1972

2. Interim agreement on the limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, 26 May 1972

What were the key points of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty?

1. Limited both countries to 2 fields of anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs).

2. No more than 100 missiles

3. Others protected the ICBM sites

4. Reduces further development of ABM technology

5. Made race to develop further offensive weapons less critical

6. Agreement crucial in curbing race in offensive weapons

7. Both regarded agreement as fundamental in reducing likelihood of nuclear war

What were the key points of the interim agreement on the limitation of strategic offensive arms?

1. Freeze on strategic offensive weapons

2. 1054 USA ICBMs: 1618 USSR

3. 656 SLBMs: 740 for USSR

4. 450 strategic bombers: 140 for USSR

5. Valid for 5 years

What were the issues with the agreements?

1. SALT I considered the crowning achievement of Nixon-Kissinger détente strategy

2. Spirit of co-operation achieved by SALT 1, followed by Nixon’s visits to Moscow in 1972/74

3. Brezhnev visited Washington in 1973

4. SALT 1 landmark agreement—“institutionalised” arms control/committed both nations to formal rules and goals

5. Foundation of political achievement

6. Made détente possible

7. Negotiation replaces confrontation; USA accepts USSR as equal

8. Parity=non-confrontational agreements

How was SALT I important in easing tensions?

1. First treaty between USSR/USA during détente  

2. Reducing chances of nuclear war scare like Cuba 

What were the key points of the Moscow Summit?

1. May 1972

2. Set out guidelines for American-Soviet relations

3. 12 Basic Principles of Relations

4. Aims of peace and increased détente

What were the 3 most important principles of relations which helped to ease tensions?

1. Committed to developing normal relations based on sovereignty, equality, and noninterference in internal affairs.

2. Committed to peaceful coexistence; avoid situations that could damage commitment to PC, avoid military confrontation/prevent the outbreak of  nuclear war

3. Acceptance of special responsibility to do everything to avoid conflicts that would endanger international relations and promote Peace and security

What were the key points of the Vladivostok Summit?

1. November 1974

2. Gerald Ford; post-Watergate 1974 

3. Kissinger visits Moscow 

4. Discussion on MIRV's 

5. Equal levels of ICBM SLBM launchers agreed 

6. Internal opposition in USA 

7. High numbers of weapons retained 

8. Gains for USSR 

9. Agreement reached on framework for 10-year plan 

How was this summit important in easing tensions?

1. Further meetings on reducing nuclear weapons

2. Still in a period of détente, working towards SALT II 

What were the key points of the Vienna Summit?

1. June 1979

2. Jimmy Carter, Democrat - champion of human rights

3. Attempted far more ambitious arms reduction (ICBMs/MIRVs)

4. Ban on all cruise missiles with range above 2500 km

5. Brezhnev regarded Vladivostok as binding

6. Demands on SU disproportionate—rejected

7. Feeling that Carter was moving away from Détente, but SALT II still signed

What were the key points of SALT II?

1. Late 1972-1979

2. Negotiation problem = asymmetry between strategic forces of the two countries—USSR, having concentrated on missiles with large warheads/US who developed smaller missiles of greater accuracy

3. Questions as to new technologies under development, matters of definition/methods of verification

4. SALT II set limits on number of strategic launchers (i.e., missiles that can be equipped with MIRVs)

5. Object of deferring time when both sides’ land-based ICBM systems would become vulnerable to attack from such missiles.

6. Limit 2400 ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers, 1320 MIRV`s

7. 10 years

How did Afghanistan affect the SALT II treaty in 1980?

1. SALT II signed by Pres. Carter/Brezhnev in Vienna; June 18, 1979, submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification shortly thereafter.

2. Warmth/respect between a frail Brezhnev and Carter

3. Both recognised responsibility to control arms race, avoid nuclear war, and sustain detente

4. But renewed tensions between superpowers prompted Carter to remove treaty from Senate consideration in January 1980, after Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

5. US/SU voluntarily observed arms limits agreed upon in SALT II in subsequent years

What were the key points of Ostpolitik and the development of European détente?

1. “Ostpolitik”; new approach to East-West relations in Europe

2. Triggered by 1969 appointment of Wily Brandt as Chancellor of West Germany

3. Brandt, previously mayor of West Berlin, 1957-1966, Nobel Peace Prize 1971

4. Chose to abandon the Hallstein Doctrine

5. 1955

6. West Germany not recognise East Germany, refused to form diplomatic relations with any state other than SU that did recognise the GDR - narrier to Détente.