sources of tension

how did both powers stand by end of 1960s

both wanted to avoid former tension levels

more communication

still mistrustful

two main remaining issues between the powers

vietnam

human rights

vietnam

continued american presence = concern for communist countries

ongoing war = americans bitter against USSR

how did american ppl feel about the vietnam war

end of 1960s:

• 58,000 US soldiers dead

• vietnam war = super unpopular

clear that war = unwinnable - withdrawal necessary

when did the war end

1973 US withdrew troops

1975 vietnam = fully communist

human rights

USSR life

• no free speech

• no civil rights

• gulags

• censorship

Brezhnev cracked down on what Khrushchev had undone

2 high profile examples of ussrs lack of care of human rights

Hungary

Czechoslovakia

what did they do about human rights

west reluctant to push the issue - risk damaging improving relationships

human rights not priority but remained concern