3.1: The Détente of the 1970s

What were 4 causes of the Détente of the 1970s?

Arms race, Vietnam War, social problems, weak Soviet economy

What is détente?

A relaxation of tension

Which 3 agreements/treaties showed that the USA and USSR were making a genuine attempt to have a more stable relationship?

SALT 1, Helsinki Accords, SALT 2

When was SALT 1?

May 1972

What 3 agreements were made in SALT 1?

Anti-ballistic missiles were only allowed at 2 sites, restrictions on the number of ICBMs and SLBMs each country could have, agreed to make every effort to avoid nuclear war

When were the Helsinki Accords?

August 1975

Who agreed to the Helsinki Accords?

33 nations from NATO and the Warsaw Pact

Which 3 agreements were made in the Helsinki Accords?

European borders could not be changed by force, Western and Soviet-controlled countries would cooperate in trade and on a joint space mission, respect for human rights and individual freedoms in all countries

When was SALT 2?

June 1979

What was agreed in SALT 2?

The USA and USSR singed an agreement that restricted missile launchers and strategic bombers and banned the testing of new types of ICBMs

What were 2 consequences of the Détente of the 1970s?

Reduction in tension, continuing tension

Why was there a reduction in tension as a result of SALT 1?

Showed that both the USA and USSR wanted to reach agreement and demonstrate their better relations, Nixon visited Brezhnev in Moscow and Brezhnev visited Nixon in Washington after SALT 1

Why was there continuing tension as a result of SALT 1?

Both countries still owned more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, unlikely that a piece of paper would prevent nuclear war, it did not cover the developments in nuclear technology

Why was there a reduction in tension as a result of the Helsinki Accords?

It was the first time that the border between East and West Germany was formally accepted, there was a joint US-Soviet space mission in 1975 which showed how much relations had improved

Why was there continuing tension as a result of the Helsinki Accords?

Some American politicians were unhappy about recognising European borders, the Soviets were concerned that organisations would be set up to monitor human rights in communist countries

Why was there a reduction in tension as a result of SALT 2?

Showed that the superpowers were willing to negotiate on critical issues

Why was there continuing tension as a result of SALT 2?

It was never formally approved (ratified) by America because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, so it never became official US policy