The extent of détente up to 1979

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)

1960:There had been some moves between the USA and the USSR towards limiting the development and use of nuclear weapons.

1963 Moscow Test Ban Treaty and 1968 Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty had begun this process, but the Soviet intervention into Czechoslovakia stalled the proceedings.

SALT I

The Anti - Ballistic Missile Treaty, 26 May 1972 : It limited both the USA and the USSR to constructing two fields of ABMs, each with no more than 100 missiles (One to protect a capital city and the other to protect ICBMs.)

What did the ABM treaty signify? There would be no significant competition to further develop ABM defence tech and made the race to develop offensive strategic nuclear weapons less critical. It showed that both sides acknowledged the other’s destructive power thus each side had an interest in preventing a mutually destructive conflict.

What was the ABM treaty? $Fundamental in preventing the possibility of nuclear war.$