Chapter 3 - Reducing tensions and Collapse of soviet union

What does “MAD” stand for

Mutually assured destruction

Why did the USA follow Détente

• Nixon was elected in 1968 and wanted to take the USA out of the Vietnam War which cost billions of dollars. There were also many social problems.

• Detente would allow the USA to spend less money on weapons and more on trying to solve social problems

Why did the Soviets follow détente

• Was facing economic problems and wanted to cut back spending on weapons and instead focus more on living standards and updating the economy

“Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty” SALT 1

• Signed in 1972

• ABMs only allowed at 2 sites

• USA 1,054 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs

• USSR 1,618 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs

Helsinki Accords 1975 (3 Baskets)

European borders

International cooperation

Human rights

33 nations from NATO and the Warsaw Pact met to build on the 3 Baskets

Basket 1 European borders

First time that the boundaries between east and west germany and also the soviet controlled countries were formally accepted.

Basket 2 International cooperation

There was a joint USA and Soviet space mission.

Basket 3 Human Rights

USA wanted to undermine communist authority and weaken soviet power through its extension of human rights

Why did the period of détente come to an end

Soviet invasion of afghanistan in 1979