18. extent of detente up to 1979

Question 1

what happened after the cuban missile crisis in relation to detene?

Answer 1

-a new period of stability emerged as both superpowers sought detene in Europe

Question 2

why did americans want detente after cuban missile crisis?

Answer 2

-to stabilise Europe and restrain the USSR

hoping it would lead Washington and allies to permanently accept the post-war division of Europe

Question 3

explain Salt I talks?

Answer 3

• agreements aiming to limit the development and use of nuclear weapons beginning with the test ban treaty
• interrupted by soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, but continued into 1969
• Nixon’s visits to Beijing and Moscow put urgency on the talks leading to it’s signing in May,1972

Question 4

explain the anti-ballistic missile treaty?

Answer 4

• limited US and USSR to constructing two field of ABM’s with no more than 100 missiles
• this made to race to develop more missiles less critical, and reduced the values of ABM’s= reducing possibility of nuclear war

Question 5

explain the interim agreement on the limitation of strategic offensive arms?

Answer 5

-limited middle numbers for 5 years
-ICBMS:
-US=1054
-USSR= 1618
strategic bombers:
-US: 450
-USSR: 140
-but didn’t limit newly developed technology such as cruise missiles

Question 6

explain the significance of Salt I?

Answer 6

• it was the foundation of the achievement of detente
• opened the way for a new era of negotiation rather than confrontation
• balance of power had been acknowledged

Question 7

explain the Moscow summit?

Answer 7

-May, 1972
-Nixon visited Moscow after his visit to Beijing, Brezhnev era were anxious about improved US-China relations and were ready to make a deal with the US
=basic principles being the avoidance of nuclear conflict and long term plans for disarmament
-creating a framework for future negotiations

Question 8

explain the Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 8

• Nov, 1974
• soviets agreed to a 10year plan programme to reach an equal level of ICBM launchers and SLBM launchers
• agreed by Brezhnev and Ford
• preliminary move towards salt II

Question 9

explain Carter’s arms reduction proposal for Salt II?

Answer 9

• March 1977, carter government presented the USSR with a proposal to reduce strategic systems eg. MIRV missile launchers
• USA also proposed a ban on development, testing and deployment of ICBM’s
• Brezchnev rejected the proposals claiming the terms required the USSR to reduce its numbers much more that the USA

Question 10

explain the Vienna summit as part of Salt II?

Answer 10

• June 1979
• although there were tensions between the USA and USSR both sides wanted to reach an agreement = USSR refused to agree eg. -limit of launchers equipped with MIRV’s to 1200

Question 11

explain Ostpolitik and the development of european detente?

Answer 11

• west german chancellor Willy Brandt initiated a new approach to relations =Ostpolitik
• import aspect being the recognition of East Germany and its boarders
• he did this by:
  
  • august 1970: USSR and west G signed the treaty of Moscow- non aggression pact rejecting force to acknowledge its boarders
  • december 1972: two Germany’s sign the Basic Treaty, formally recognising each other+ promise of peace

Question 12

what was the significance of the Basic Treaty?

Answer 12

• December 1972
• made it easier for other european nations to establish diplomatic relations with East Germany
• by september 1972, both East and West were members of the united nations

Question 13

explain the Helsinki accords?

Answer 13

• August 1975 final meeting of the Security and Cooperation in Europe = signing of the Helsinki act
• signed by 35 states
• covering 3 categories:
  
  • security in Europe- respect for sovereignty
  • cooperation with economics+ science- trade, and tourism
  • humanitarian cooperation- freer movement of people

Question 14

what were the 3 issues causing tension between the US and USSR?

Answer 14

• concerns over expansion of Ostpolitik
• concerns over freedom of movement
• american misunderstanding of soviet aims

Question 15

explain concerns over expansion of Ostpolitik as a reason for US-Soviet tension?

Answer 15

-soviet view
:the USSR wanted to extend the Ostpolitik to all of Eastern Europe and also furthering detente with Europe
-the US view
:Ostpolitik threatened USA’s position of strength in Europe, accepting the Helsinki act meant a divided Germany and Eastern Europe subservient to the USSR

Question 16

explain concerns over freedom of movement as a reason for US-Soviet tension?

Answer 16

-USA pointed out some inequalities among soviet citizens
-soviet approach
:USSR applied heavy exit taxes on those wanting to emigrate, mainly aimed at Jews wanting to move to USA
-US response
:US passed the Jackson-Vanick amendment, meaning the USSR couldn’t impose an exit tac on those wanting to emigrate
-as a result of this amendment the USSR pulled out of trade agreement with the USA

Question 17

explain american misunderstanding of soviet aims as a reason for US-Soviet tension?

Answer 17

• US didn’t believe the soviet union was more concerned with diplomacy than its sphere of influence
• Brezhnev saw Helsinki as a recognition of soviet legitimacy
• US’s misunderstanding of Soviet motives affected US-Soviet relations even during detente

Question 18

explain the Arms Race?

Answer 18

• although promise of detente both superpowers continued to grow their military power
• salt I agreement was supposed to end in 1977
• with no agreement reacher by 1978 USSr refused to reduce nuclear stockpile, and in response carter approved a new weapons programme
• december, 1979 carter convinced NATO members to increase military expenditure by 3%
• USSR responded by deploying its own missile systems through Warsaw Pact allies
• then USSr invaded Afghanistan in December, 1979= renewed hostilities

Question 19

explain relations with China?

Answer 19

-September, 1979, Mao died, Deng Xiaoping emerged as leader
-he emphasised economic development, and relations with USA were key to economic success
-December 1978, USA announced they would formally recognise the People’s republic of China and terminate defence treaty with USA and Taiwan
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