Week 6: Détente and the End of the Cold War (1962-1991)

Détente and the End of the Cold War (1962-1991)

Introduction

  • Overview: The Détente period and the end of the Cold War spanning from 1962 to 1991, divided into three main phases.

1. The Causes of the Détente (1962-1968)

1.1 Nuclear Arms Race and Arms Control

  • Soviet Nuclear Weapon (1949): Marked the start of the nuclear arms competition.

  • "Missile Gap" (Sputnik, 1957): Public perception that the Soviet Union had surpassed the U.S. in missile capabilities.

  • Disarmament Talks (1959): Initiated at the United Nations aimed at reducing nuclear arsenals.

  • Brinkmanship: Highlighted by the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.

  • Red Telephone: Established to ensure direct communication between U.S. and Soviet leaders to avoid crises.

  • Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963): Prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space.

  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968): Recognized five official nuclear weapons states (U.S., USSR, UK, France, China).

1.2 Vietnam War and U.S. Weakness

  • Vietnam Divided (1954): Following the Indochina War, Vietnam separated into North and South.

  • U.S. Military Engagement: Began in 1964 with 500,000 troops and significant casualties.

  • Vietnamization: Policy introduced in 1969 to transfer combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.

  • Paris Accords: Signed in 1973 to officially end U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

  • Fall of Saigon (1975): Marked the victory of communist forces in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

  • ‘Vietnam Syndrome’: U.S. public aversion to future military interventions due to Vietnam experiences.

1.3 Crisis of the Bipolar System

  • Decolonization and Third World Movements: Notable events include the Bandung Conference (1955) and the emergence of the non-aligned movement (1961).

  • Sino-Soviet Split: Strained relations with border incidents surfacing in 1960 and 1969.

  • U.S. Challenges: Faced setbacks from France's De Gaulle (1958-1969) and German Ostpolitik (1969 onwards); economic issues including trade deficit and abandonment of gold standard (1971).

  • Eastern Block Challenges: Including the Prague Spring (1968) and the break-up of Tito and Stalin's alliance.

2. The Détente (1968-1979)

2.1 A New Multipolar System

2.1.1 U.S. Leadership

  • Richard Nixon: Served as U.S. President (1969-1974), initiating significant diplomatic efforts.

  • Henry Kissinger: His strategies mirrored historical figures Metternich and Bismarck, advocating realism and negotiation.

2.1.2 Emergence of New Powers

  • People’s Republic of China: Split with the USSR (1960), developed nuclear capabilities (1964), joined UNO (1971), established diplomatic ties with U.S. (1979).

  • India: Engaged in war with China (1962), treaty with USSR (1971), nuclear tests (1974).

  • Japan: Emerged as the second world economic power (1968).

  • Western Europe: Greater unification post-1970 amid economic challenges, particularly during the oil crisis (1973).

2.2 Achievements of Détente

  • China's UNO Admission (1971): Significant geopolitical recognition.

  • Nuclear Arms Control: SALT I and II treaties (1972 & 1979) aimed at limiting strategic arms.

  • End of Vietnam War (1973): A pivotal moment for U.S. foreign policy.

  • Ostpolitik: Willy Brandt’s approach toward normalization between East and West Germany (1970-1973).

  • CSCE and Helsinki Act (1975): Established a framework for security and cooperation in Europe, involving 35 countries.

  • Israeli-Egyptian Peace: Achieved through Camp David Accords (1978).

3. The Last Phase of the Cold War (1979-1991)

3.1 New Tensions

  • Re-emergence of the Arms Race: Focus on strategic missiles and the deployment of Euromissiles.

  • Jimmy Carter’s Moral Policy: Perceived as ineffective (1976-1980).

  • Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979): Notable military conflict that intensified Cold War tensions.

  • Cold War in the 'Third World': Conflicts in Nicaragua (Latin America), Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia (Asia), and South Africa (Africa).

3.2 Weakening of the Soviet Union

  • Ronald Reagan's Presidency (1980-1988): Included military interventions and strategic rearmament; coined as "Star Wars" initiative.

  • Mikhail Gorbachev's Reforms (1985-1991): Introduced perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness).

3.3 End of the Cold War

  • Nuclear Disarmament Treaties: Including the Treaty of Washington on Euromissiles (INF, 1987).

  • Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan (1989): Marked a significant policy change.

  • Uprisings in Eastern Europe: Led to the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989).

  • Reunification of Germany (1990): Symbolized the end of division in Europe.

  • Gulf War Against Iraq (1990-1991): Further altered global military dynamics.

  • Disintegration of the USSR (1991): Culminated in the end of the Cold War era.

  • ‘Unipolar Moment’ for the U.S.: Resulted in the U.S. emerging as the sole superpower.