(15) Co-Operation Flashcards
What did the Johnson Report estimate?
Johnson was the director of the National Security Council’s Net Evaluation Subcommittee.
He estimated that if a full-scale nuclear war broke out, 93 million combined deaths would occur, and the report acknowledged that the USSR was also aware of the consequences.
What had been Kennedy’s attitude towards the USSR?
Worried about Mutually Assured Destruction, Kennedy began negotiations with the other nuclear powers in the hopes of preventing further use of nuclear weapons
How has detente relaxed tensions between the USA and USSR? (USA’s perspective)
In 1963, he appeared to be more open and relaxed to increasing relations between the US and USSR compared to 1961, where he had been willing to negotiate but was also ready to deploy nuclear arsenal if necessary.
What had been Khrushchev’s attitude towards the USA?
Pravda referred to Khrushchev’s ‘calm and wisdom’ as an asset for Soviet diplomacy, which saved the world from ‘Nuclear Catastrophe.’
Amenable to US-Soviet relationship based on ‘Mutual Restraint’ rather than ‘Brinkmanship’.
When did the Washington-Moscow ‘hotline’ open?
June 1963
What was the Washington-Moscow ‘hotline’
In June 1963, a direct communication line between the leaders of the USA and USSR was set up.
Could reach each other at any time, through a system to be used in emergency situations.
How did it reduce tensions?
Symbolised a new spirit of cooperation.
Intended to avoid delays that occurred in communication in important incidents such as Cuban Missile Crisis to deescalate if necessary.
When did the Moscow Test Ban Treaty happen?
August 1963
What was the Moscow Test Ban Treaty
Banned nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water.
Did not include underground testing, which were difficult to detect.
How did it reduce tensions?
They were able to agree the ways in which nuclear weapons tests would occur, representing an initial step in establishing common ground between the United States and the Soviet Union.
It demonstrated a mutual desire to prevent the escalation of nuclear proliferation and to limit the potential for nuclear war, reducing tensions between the two countries.
Testing nuclear weapons reduced.
How could it be argued otherwise?
Verification and enforcement of these agreements, however, remained contentious issues. Moreover, the exclusion of certain nuclear powers like France and China from these treaties restricted their universal impact, allowing continued nuclear developments beyond the agreements’ reach.
But it did seem that the treaty had a broader global impact beyond the USA and USSR. It set a standard for nuclear non-proliferation efforts and encouraged other countries to follow suit in curbing the testing and development of nuclear weapons to prevent situations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
Prevented the spread of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear states and promoted the peaceful uses of nuclear energy such as energy production.
How did it reduce tensions?
An important precedent for international cooperation against the uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Relaxation of Cold War tensions would allow both the Americans and the Soviets to focus on domestic affairs as the arms race was very expensive.
When did the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty happen?
July 1968
