Detente and contending with China

What was the rise in unemployment rate in the US in the late 1960s

3.5%

When is the US in recession

by 1970 and in 1971

What was the condition of the US economy in the 70’s

negative GDP growth 1973-5, high inflation, and high unemployment

When was the OPEC oil embargo

19973-74

Why did the OPEC oil embargo start

Arab-Israeli war and the US (and other countries that
supported Israel) were targeted. OPEC stopped exporting oil to these countries and also cut production. This meant that the price of oil in the US eventually quadrupled

What were the 4 manifestations of US and USSR easing of hostilities 

• Arms reduction talks: clearly driven by parity and the ability to cut without fearing security losses. Lots of these in the early 1970s, see lecture slides.

• Reduction in direct superpower confrontation – but plenty of indirect, this is the period during which wars related to decolonization are at their height and there is a lot of civil conflict in South America with ideological components.

• Agreements on borders: The USSR has long sought recognition of the borders of its satellites and of its sphere of influence. The Helsinki Accords have multiple features but basically they recognize borders and territorial integrity and promote non-interference in internal affairs. The USSR was happy to agree to provisions on human rights in exchange for long sought territorial goals 

• Summits and ‘theatre’ demonstrating thawed relations. Public meetings between Brezhnev and Nixon – show that leaders are working together to reduce tension; ‘theatre’ like Russian/US astronauts shaking hands in space

What caused the easing of hostiles between the US and USSR

• weak economies meant they weren’t keen to have an expensive military competition

• nuclear parity meant it was possible to reduce the drive to compete

• Personalities of both states leaders 

What is stagflation

high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and elevated unemployment

When was the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty signed
worldwide

1968

when was the Biological Weapons Convention

1972

When were the strategic arms limitation talks

• SALT I: 1969-72, Helsinki and Vienna
  • leads to Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
  • Limits and reduces numbers of
  missiles

• SALT II: 1972-9 Agreement not ratified
  but US follows anyway

• Attempts to ban new missile programs
  and limit numbers

When was the Helsinki Accords/Helsinki Final
Act/Helsinki Final Declaration signed

1975

what are critical components of Helsinki Accords/Helsinki Final
Act/Helsinki Final Declaration

• III: Inviolability of frontiers
• IV: Territorial integrity of states
• VI: Non-intervention in internal affairs
• VII: Respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, incl freedom
of conscience, thought and religion
• Equal rights and self-determination of
peoples

When was the Great Leap Forward

1958-62

When was the first Chinese successful nuclear test

1964

When was the cultural revolution

1966-76

When was the Sino-soviet border conflict

March 1969

Why does Nixon open relations with China?

• To split the relationship between
the USSR and China (capitalizing
on bad relations) – why?
• Gain leverage over the USSR
• Assist in resolving the Vietnam
War – persuade Hanoi to
negotiate
• “week that changed the world”
• Normalize relations with China