SALT I

what did SALT I stand for

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty 1

What were it’s aims?

to limit weapons

What was the ABM

Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which limited the deployment of missile defense systems to only two sites in each country and should have a maximum of 100 missiles each

What was the Interim Treaty

Limited number of ICBMs & SLBMs for both superpowers

The USA had already found a way to attach more than one warhead to a missile, it had developed MIRVs

What was the Basic Principles Agreement

A framework for the conduct of nuclear arms control negotiations, emphasizing the importance of strategic stability and the prevention of nuclear war.

Achievements of SALT I

It had major symbolic importance, both superpowers wanted to reach agreement and wanted to demonstrate their better relations publicly 

weaknesses of SALT I

• It was unrealistic that nuclear war was avoided due to both superpowers signing a legalised form of agreement 

• Both countries owned more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy the other many times over 

• Did not cover the latest technological development, MIRVs