1800 - 1900 World Power Flashcards
What is Manifest Destiny
The belief that Americans have the God-given right to spread their beliefs
Financial motives for expansion
• Americas industrial economy had grown rapidly and there was a fear their market had become to saturated
• They felt that if other European powers continued to grow America would be left behind
What was the influential book in 1890? 📖
In 1890 Alfred Thayer Mahn published ‘The Influence of Sea Power on History’
What year did America become the 3rd largest sea power?
1900
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
1823
It stated that if the western hemisphere was no longer open to European colonisation, the US would regard any attempt as a threat against its security.
The Anti Imperialist League
In 1890 a minority group formed in opposition to expansion and imperialism. They said that the US did not look after its own people and didn’t have the expertise to run an empire like Britain
Britain and Venezuela
1895
In 1895 Britain fell into a border dispute with Venezuela over British Guiana as it is in the western hemisphere the US stepped in and the matter was settled.
Samoa 1889
A protectorate was established with the US, Britain and Germany over the Samoan islands. this lasted until 1899
Hawaii
In 1890 the islands right to export duty-free sugar into the US was abolished leading to a fall in demand. this caused anti foreign sentiment led by the Queen. In 1893 American settlers and US Marines defeated Queen Liliuokalani and setting up a pro American government
When was Hawaii annexed by the US?
1959 Hawaii was given full statehood
When was the Spanish American war?
1898
The USS Maine
President McKinley wanted to stay out of the conflict but when on the 15th February 1898 the USS Maine exploded in Cuba’s Havana Harbour. more than 260 US sailors were killed. This led to newspapers influencing peoples beliefs and making people want to fight
US Victory in Cuba
Spain was underprepared
America attacked the Philippine islands and sank 10 ships
12th August an armistice was signed
the Secretary of State called it a ‘splendid little war’
How many soldiers died in the Spanish American war?
The US lost 379 men in fighting and 5,000 from disease out of the original 28,000 sent
What was the Paris Treaty 1898?
This was the agreement signed after the Spanish American War
America was given control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam
Cuba was recognised as independent but American troops stayed on the island for 4 years
The Teller Amendment 1898
This amendment declared that Spain should give up their control over Cuba and Cuba be made independent. The amendment allowed the US the right to use military force to help Cuba gain its independence. They promised that they would not “exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control” over Cuba
The Platt Amendment 1901?
America forced Cuba to agree that although they were independent America had the right to intervene to “protect the life, property and individual liberties”
Big Stick Diplomacy 1901-1909
Following William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelts new foreign policy approach that emphasizes the use of military power and the threat of military intervention to achieve foreign policy goals.
The Panama Canal
From 1881-1887 the construction of the canal was being carried out by a French company responsible for the Suez canal in Egypt. They had spent $300 million and twenty thousand lives to build a third of the canal.
They asked the US to buy the land of them for $10 million which they later raised to $25 million.
Meanwhile the Panamanians revolted against the Columbian rule, Columbia sent troops to put down the revolt only to be stopped by US ships.
An agreement was made allowing America to continue the construction of the canal
The canal opened 15th August 1914
The Roosevelt Corollary
IN 1904 Roosevelt addressed congress with what become known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine saying that the US was justified to intervene to forestall involvement from outsiders.
The Russo Japanese war
The rivalry between Russia and Japan broke out in a war as Japan felt that Russia threatened their ambitions in China and Korea. February 1904 Japanese war ships attacked the Russian fleet. When Japan signalled they would welcome a peace treaty a conference was held in Portsmouth sponsored by Roosevelt. The agreements were in favour of Japan giving them control of Korea.
why did the USA want to be involved in China?
American politicians and businessmen wanted more involvement in China. With 3.5 billion square miles and a population three times the size of the US the potential markets were huge.
China and Open Door Policy
McKinley’s secretary of State sent a letter to the European capitals asking for an open door policy regarding trade in China which was ignored but he still announced that they had accepted.
What is ‘Open Door Policy’?
The Open Door policy was a statement of principles initiated by the United States in 1899 and 1900. It called for equal privileges for all countries trading with China and for the support of Chinese territorial and administrative integrity
What do historians believe about America’s ‘informal empire’?
Historians believe that America was building an informal empire rather than directly colonising areas. America used its economic power to extend its influence not its military
The Boxer Rebellion 1899
June 1899 the Society of Harmonious Righteous Fists (Boxers) began a revolt against foreign domination. They murdered hundreds of European and Chinese Christians. A year later a multi-national force was sent to crush the rebellion with the US contributing 2,500 troops
The Great White Fleet
Before Roosevelt left the White House in early 1909 he celebrated America’s rise to world power. In 1907 he sent the entire US Navy by then the second largest after Britain on a grand tour around the world
Positives and negatives of the Great White Fleet
Some people saw it as protection and others saw it as intimidation. America saw itself as superior with racist ideologies
Dollar Diplomacy
The use of a countries financial power to extend its international influence
William Taft encouraged this idea and focused more on economics rather than military
Mexican Civil War
In 1920 he sent US Marines into Mexico after the Mexican government was overthrown and a group attacked American soldiers
Woodrow Wilson’s foreign policy
Woodrow Wilson was critical of ‘Dollar Diplomacy’ and interference with other countries however he did send troops to Mexico, Hatti and increased control over the Dominican Republic
Neutrality WW1
Woodrow Wilson proclaimed US neutrality on the 4th August 1914. The US would stay out of the conflict which many Americans agreed with
Problems with Neutrality WW1
Staying neutral became more difficult as the US quickly became economically involved. The war created a boom in American industry and agricultural sales. Money was loaned to Europe. By 1917 the they had loaned $2 billion to the allies and $27 million to Germany
Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
The British blockade of Germany aimed to prevent supplies being delivered disrupted American trade. In response German submarines would sink any ship in the war zone. These attacks stopped when multiple American ships were sunk and the US warned that if this continued they would have to get involved
The Lusitania
In 1918 Germany continued their method of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare resulting in the sinking of the Lusitania killing 2,000 people 128 were American
Reasons the US joined WW1
- The sinking of the Lusitania
- The Zimmerman Telegram
- The Russian Revolution
What was the Zimmerman telegram?
In January 1917 a telegram was intercepted from Germany to Mexico. Germany promised that if Mexico attacked the US they would be given Texas and Arizona
How did the Russian Revolution impact US foreign policy?
They were now seen as a democratic country and the US could support them and the allies fight against Germany
How many US soldiers died during WW1?
100,000
how much money did the US spend during WW1?
$35 Billion
Who did Germany Go to for a peace treaty?
America as they felt they would be more lenient as they had not been fighting on their own land and that Woodrow Wilson’s fourteen points would be the basis of the treaty
What was Woodrow Wilson’s 14 point plan?
Wilson believed in the good of people and the desire to improve the world, he tried to identify the cause of the war and remove the problem to prevent future conflict.
What problems did Wilson face during the Treaty of Versailles?
There was conflicting aims within the terms of the treaty. Britain, France and Italy had been fighting the war for much longer and on their own land. There were conflicts over borders and reparations.
When wilson returned from Paris the republicans refused the current terms and were against the league of nations.
The treaty failed to prevent future conflicts.
The USA and the League of Nations
The US did not officially join the
league of nations despite attending many of its international meetings. They stated that
decisions including declaring war, finance and arms could only be decided by congress and not
The league. They felt that they didn’t want to be
Controlled by the league or get involved in
European affairs.
Which two presidents following Wilson supported isolationism?
Harding and Coolidge
They were Republican
both believed America’s role in the world was primarily economic not political.
The Washington Naval Conference 1921-22
This was a conference which aimed to put limits on the Navy’s of world powers. They agreed to reduce the size of the leading navy’s of the US, Britain, Japan, France and Italy 5:5:3:1 ¾ : 1 ¾, this wasn’t a fair ratio between all of the powers, America wanted to limit the size of other navy’s without impacting their own. however their was no enforcement clause
The Kellogg Briand Pact 1926
America and 62 other countries signed a pact condemning the use of war. However this was a weak pact as there was no clause stating how the pact would be enforced so could easily be broken.
US Involvement in Latin America 1920-1930’s
The US had a changing approach to Latin America in the 1920’s - 1930’s
They had more interest in Latin America than europe. They withdrew troops from Cuba and the Dominican Republic, and Columbia was paid $25 million in reparations for America’s role in the Panamanian revolution. 2 thirds of cuban sugar production was owned by america as well as half of venezuelan oil.
They had more economic involvement then political
Hoover goes on a goodwill tour of Latin America.
Roosevelt corollary (this had the right to intervene) was removed
Who was president 1933 - 1945?
Franklin D Roosevelt
What were FD Roosevelts attitudes to foreign policy?
He believed in a more open foreign policy however in his first few years in power he was distracted with the Wall Street Crash to do much about foreign policy.
What was the Nye Committee?
A poll was carried out showing that 70% of the American public felt that they should have never joined ww1
What was the Pan American Conference?
The Pan American conference 1938 the USA and 21 other countries agreed that they would consult in the event of a threat to anyone of them.
What were the Oxford Boycotts?
In 1936 students took part in a boycott of lectures protesting the use of war similar to ones taking place in Oxford. In the 1936 elections Roosevelt promised to keep the US out of another war.
What were the Neutrality Acts?
- 1935 Neutrality Act -Embargo on trading arms and war materials with all parties
- 1936 Neutrality Act forbade loans to all parties at war but it did not cover Civil wars
- 1937 Neutrality Act extended embargo to cover Civil wars
1937 US banned from travelling on belligerent ships (trying to avoid repetition of Lusitania 1915 attack)
What was the Ludlow Amendment?
The Ludlow amendment meant that a referendum was required before a president could declare war.
How did the US prepare for WW2?
They tried to keep peace for as long as possible by making deals between countries
The naval expansion act allowed a 20% increase in the US navy bringing them inline with Germany and Japan.
In 1939 he was given $525 million for air defence.
At the start of the war the American army was still small and was only 185,000 men
Propaganda was used to keep the American public on the British side Roosevelt encouraged congress to push through The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, also known as the Burke–Wadsworth Act, enacted September 16, 1940, was the first peacetime conscription in United States history and required men 21-36 to register. (later extended to 18-45)
What was Cash & Carry?
The Neutrality Act of 1937 allowed a provision for Roosevelt that Fighting nations to purchase important wartime resources such as oil from the United States. There was a provision in the act that said the goods had to be transported, or “carried,” on non-American ships. Another provision required that the fighting powers had to pay for the goods with cash. It was referred to as the “cash-and-carry” principle. Roosevelt went further when he managed to give 50 old First World War destroyers to England in return for naval bases in British colonies.
What was Lend and Lease?
The Lend Lease Act allowed the US to lend/lease arms, supplies or food to any nation if it felt ‘that country’s defence was necessary for the defence of America.’ Congress allocated $50 billion to $31 billion to the British When the USSR was attacked by the Nazis in June 1941 the Lend Lease programme was extended to them.
What was the Atlantic Charter?
The Atlantic Charter was a statement issued on 14 August 1941 that set out American and British goals for the world after the end of World War II, months before the US officially entered the war. The joint statement, later dubbed the Atlantic Charter, outlined the aims of the United States and the United Kingdom for the post-war world
The Attack on Pearl Harbour
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack against the
United States at Pearl Harbour naval base in Hawaii, America’s vital
outpost in the Pacific.
over 2000 Americans were killed. Congress declared war on December 8; three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States
What was The Battle of the Atlantic?
After the attack on Pearl Harbour, Hitler ordered submarine raids against ships along America’s east coast. The German aim in the Battle of the Atlantic was to prevent food and war materials from reaching Great Britain and the Soviet Union. Unprotected American ships proved to be easy targets for the Germans. The Allies responded by organising their cargo ships into convoys. Convoys were groups of ships travelling together for mutual protection,
Battle of the Atlantic Liberty Ships
By early 1943, 140 Liberty ships were produced each month. Launchings of Allied ships began to outnumber sinkings. By mid-1943, the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic had turned.
What was the Battle of Midway?
A surprise attack aimed at the Allied base at Midway Island. Midway is located in the Pacific Ocean almost directly in between the United States and Japan. It was aimed to distract the US fleet and destroy ships like at pearl harbour. The US managed to decode messages and prepare for the attack
The North African Front
They launched Operation Torch, an invasion of Axis-controlled North Africa, commanded by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower. In November 1942, some 107,000 Allied troops, the great majority of them Americans. After months of heavy fighting, the last of the Afrika Korps surrendered in May 1943.
D Day
The invasion of northwest Europe was launched on the 6th June 1944, a combined attack with Britain, America and Canada to invade Germany and free France. The Allies gathered a force of nearly 3 million troops together. They landed on beaches along the coast of France the most famous benign Omaha.
The Atomic Bomb
On August 6, an atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima three days later a second bomb was dropped over Nagasaki. By the end of the year, an estimated 200,000 people had died
What was the economic impact of WW2 on The US?
Huge manufacturing and agricultural production increased, they were now an economic superpower
What Happened at the Yalta Conference
February 1945
Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin
Agreed a post war settlement, Stalin would enter war with Japan, Germany forced to surrender, Reparations, Germany divided, free elections
What happened at the Potsdam Conference?
July 1945
Atlee, Truman, Stalin
Moving Poland’s boarders, Russia could only take reparations from their own zone, prosecute Nazi war criminals, the terms of surrender for Japan, reversal of Nazi annexations
The Berlin Airlift
The crisis started on June 24th 1948, when soviet forces blockaded rail, road and water access to allied controlled areas of Berlin. The crisis ended on May 12th 1949 when the soviet forces lifted the blockade on land access to western Berlin.
Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech
6th March 1946 Churchill made a speech highlighting the tensions across Europe and the ideological divide. He described an ‘iron curtain’ splitting Communism and Capitalism
The Long Telegram 1946
A telegram sent by George Kennan an American diplomate based in Russia describing Russia’s plans to destroy their enemies out of fear of foreign intervention
What was the Truman Doctrine 1947?
Britain asked for support in Greece to fight against communism the US agreed and offered financial support to ALL countries facing a communist take over
What was the Marshal Plan?
The US gave out $13.5 billion over 5 years in aid to countries to help them recover after WWII. They showed this as helping other countries recover but really it was a plan to prevent the spread of communism
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation set up 4th April 1949.
Singed by 12 countries agreeing to support each other against a communist attack.
US involvement in the Korean war
Following WW2 The US and USSR divided Korea into two zones. In 1950 Northern troops invaded the south with the support of the USSR. When the war reached a stalemate negotiations began. The US lost 54,000 troops.
What years was the Vietnam conflict?
1954 - 1975
Which Presidents were involved in Vietnam?
Truman
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson
Nixon
Trumans Involvement in Vietnam?
The first US president to be involved following World War 2 and the beginning of the cold war, he did not want to see Vietnam independent out of fear of communism and the Domino Theory
$2 Billion US dollars to France in aid to support them in controlling Vietnam
What was Eisenhower’s involvement in the Vietnam War?
2nd US President involved
Escalated US personnel to 1,500
Claimed that US troops were ‘advisors’ and not officially taking part in the conflict
Refused to sign Geneva Accords allowing democratic elections out of fear of a communist takeover
Backed Diem and tried to convince him to introduce reforms to win over South Vietnam
What was Kennedys Involvement in the Vietnam War?
3rd President involved
He needed an international win following the Bay of Pigs and Berlin Wall
Escalated US personnel to 184,000
Provided support to anti communist groups in Laos
Introduced the Hamlet strategy
What was Johnsons Involvement in the Vietnam war?
4th President involved
Immediately wanted to escalate US troops by 30%
Escalated the conflict following the Gulf of Tonkin incident to 230,000
Tet Offensive/ Credibility Gap
March against Death
Introduced search and Destroy Missions and the use of Napalm and Agent Orange
Operation Rolling Thunder
What were the names of the Vietnam Armies?
In the North:
- The North Vietnam Army
In the South:
- The Vietcong
- The South Vietnamese Army
Which Two Armies supported Ho Chi Mihn?
The North Vietnam Army and the Vietcong
What was the Gulf of Tonkin 1964?
Two boats were shot at and claimed they were unprovoked attacks led to Johnson being allowed to send troops and escalate the war.
He went to congress and passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and congress’s approval, Johnson was given permission to use any necessary steps to protect the US, they were now fully committed and did not try to hide their involvement
How many soldiers were in Vietnam by 1969?
543,000
Opposition to the Vietnam War?
- Martin Luther King
- Muhammad Ali
- protests in Michigan University 1965 were some of the first
- March against Death 1969
- Kent University Protest 1970 students were killed
What was Vietnamization?
which was the policy to hand over the fighting of the war to the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). He built up the ARVN in several ways. The ARVN received more military training, were given modern weapons, and they were used more often in combined missions with the U.S. military. Nixon hinted he had a secret plan to end the war and said he would bring peace with honor. This meant preserving the South Vietnamese government without the support of U.S. troops.
US involvement in Cambodia
One major problem that U.S. forces faced was that the Viet Cong and NVA had set up bases in the neutral country of Cambodia, By doing this, Viet Cong and NVA soldiers could attack U.S. forces and then retreat across the border back into Cambodia. Because Cambodia was neutral, U.S. troops couldn’t pursue their enemy. Nixon widened the war by ordering the bombing of Cambodia in order to hit the NVA system of base camps. Nixon kept the bombing secret from Congress and American journalists. Eventually, Cambodia’s Prince Sihanouk was overthrown by Lon Nol, an anti-communist general. Lon Nol ordered the North Vietnamese to leave Cambodia but they launched an offensive against Lon Nol’s government. To save Lon Nol, Nixon gave orders for a joint U.S. and ARVN invasion of Cambodia. In April, 30,000 U.S. and 50,000 ARVN troops swept into Cambodia, driving the Vietnamese back and destroying much of the NVA base system. Despite this military success, Congress, reacting to the invasion of a neutral county, passed a measure forbidding the use of U.S. ground troops in Cambodia and Laos. Lon Nol (Cambodian ruler)
US involvement in Laos?
After U.S. and ARVN troops invaded Cambodia, the North Vietnamese relied more on their bases in Laos. But because Congress had made it illegal to use American ground troops in Cambodia and Laos, the invasion of Laos would be left to the South Vietnamese ARVN. Could South Vietnam defeat the communists on their own? The invasion of Laos would be a test of whether the process of Vietnamization was successful. On February 8, 21,000 ARVN troops advanced into Laos, where they found 36,000 NVA, equipped with new Soviet tanks, waiting for them. After fierce fighting, the South Vietnamese retreated. They lost half their men, and the survivors only got back thanks to air support and U.S. helicopters that carried them to safety. One reporter said, “The NVA drove the invading forces out of Laos with their tail between their legs…Troops desperate to escape mobbed many of the rescuing helicopters, forcing crewmen to throw them off bodily (throw them off the helicopters).” Troops evacuating by helicopter
The Easter Offensive 1972
President Nixon hoped that his visit with Chairman Mao in China would encourage North Vietnam to negotiate. Instead, during Easter 1972, North Vietnam launched a massive new offensive, sending 200,000 NVA troops into South Vietnam. North Vietnamese General Giap gambled on success because so many U.S. ground troops had already been withdrawn from Vietnam. Nixon’s response to the Easter Offensive was his biggest bombing campaign yet. It was aimed at both the invading NVA and the cities of North Vietnam. The campaign, called Operation Linebacker, used hundreds of bombers and fighter-bombers to wreak havoc on B 52 during Operation Linebacker North Vietnam.
Ending the Vietnam war
Nixon hoped to talk to the North Vietnamese, and when they refused he launched Operation Linebacker to bomb North Vietnamese cities. As a result, the North agreed to peace negotiations.
In January 1973, an agreement was reached with the North Vietnamese: They agreed to a ceasefire and to return all US prisoners. The US agreed to leave within 60 days. The Americans left Vietnam in March 1973.
War continued between North and South Vietnam. In 1975, the North invaded and the South collapsed. Saigon fell on 30 April, and was renamed Ho Chi Minh city. Last of US personnel evacuated – famous picture of the helicopter taking the US out – reaffirmed US failure to stop spread of Communism
Results of the Vietnam War?
It was America’s longest war in which 58,000 US soldiers died, as well as about 2.3 million Vietnamese
The war cost the Americans about $110 billion and damaged the American economy in the 1970s
In 1975, Vietnam was reunited under communist rule and communists gained control of neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Containment had Failed - policy undermined but not abandoned!
The war divided Americans more deeply than at any time since the Civil
Vietnams impact on US foreign policy?
Vietnam Syndrome – 1973 congress passed the War Powers Resolution designed to limit the President’s ability to commit forces to conflicts without congressional support –
Vietnam caused distrust between public and branches of government (congress) executive due to initial use of ‘advisors’ and then Nixon’s’ expansion of war into Cambodia a neutral country!
This term also links to a long term reluctance regarding US foreign policy to commit US ground troops to any military conflict as there is a concern that they may get bogged down again like in Vietnam – in other words it has caused US policy to be more cautious.
What years was détente?
1967 - 1979
What years was the Berlin wall up?
1961 - 1989
What was the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty 1973?
A summit was held in Moscow which placed placed limits on the number of inter-continental and
submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM’s) held by the US and
USSR. However SALT left out many categories of weapons and was
limited to five years.
Détente and China
Aware of the growing hostility between the USSR and China (there had been a border clash in 1969) and China’s influence of North Vietnam, Nixon sought to divide the main communist powers and to enlist the support of the Chinese in ending the war in Vietnam.
There was also economic motives, as china would be a market for American goods at a time when the US economy was under pressure because of the war. Kissinger’s visit to Beijing in 1971 helps mend relations.
Nixon became the first American president to visit communist China in a well publicised visit in 1972.
Although fully diplomatic relations were not restored for six years trade increased and significantly, communist China was allowed to join the National Security Council of the UN.
What were the Helsinki Accords 1975?
An agreement between 35 countries including the USA, USSR and most European countries which included a significant acceptance of human rights and the ‘peaceful transformation of borders’. The Helsinki Accords were to have a long term significance for the monitoring of human rights in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe as well as the direction of US foreign policy under the next president Jimmy Carter (1977-1981).
What were the terms of SALT II?
Cater promised to follow a more moral agenda in foreign policy, one that would be based on principle and human rights. Although negotiations with the USSR did proceed on SALT II, they were often fractious because of Carters determination to link arms control with human rights issues. However by 1979 outline agreements on SALT II had been achieved:
A limit of 2,400 on nuclear delivery vehicles, falling to 2,250 by 1982
A limit on the number of warheads per vehicle
What were the limits to SALT II ?
This was a limited agreement but it was one that for the first time proposed a reduction in, as well as a limit to nuclear weaponry. The huge problem was that it did not take into account a new factor of the deployment in 1976 of Soviet medium range nuclear missiles in Europe, the SS20’s. As the debate to ratify SALT II went on, the prospects for detente were undermined by:
By 1975 the USSR had more nuclear delivery vehicles than the USA and had exceeded the USA’s number of nuclear warheads
The USSR’s deployment of SS20’s to Eastern Europe
Soviet involvement in the Angolan civil war 1975-76 and the Horn of Africa in 1978. By February 1978 there were 15,000 Cuban troops in Ethiopia and the USSR had given $1 billion in military aid.
Why did Détente end?
In december 1979 the USSR invaded Afghanistan. This was the largest deployment of soviet troops outside its territory since the second world war. The USSR claimed it was a defensive move to secure its southern republicans against Islamic fundamentalism. In the context of the other events of the late 1970’s President Carter saw it a threat to peace from the USSR.
What was the Carter Doctrine?
Outlines that an attempt of the Persian gulf will be regarded as an assault of the interests of the US – this will be met with any means necessary including military force.
He ordered a boycott of the Moscow Olympics and the withdrawal of SALT II
What were the opposite views of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
USSR VIEW
Brezhnev felt this action complied with Détente as for the USSR they were maintaining the Status Quo and not allowing change.
USA View
For the Americans this Soviet invasion of USSR was seen as an aggressive military move . Plus concerned that Iran a nearby country was also unstable and feared the whole region could fall under communist influence.
What was Reagans Strategic Defence Initiative?
Reagan made a television broadcast announcing the use of space lasers to protect the US against a nuclear attack. The use of this technology would mean that all Soviet missiles would be useless against US defence
What were the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (START)
Subsequent strategic arms talks were in response to pressure from Europe and the increasingly popular nuclear ‘freeze’ movement that have developed in the USA (expressed US public support for a freeze on the deployment of all nuclear weapons)
Why were the START talks abandoned?
The deployment of the first cruise and Pershing II missiles led to the USSR abandoning the talks.
For the first time in over a decade, the USA and the USSR were no longer engaged in any level of negotiation. USSR took the view that the US was not seriously interested in negotiating a mutually beneficial and equitable agreement and hoped that by ending the negotiations, the Western powers would apply pressure on the USA to adopt a more realistic and cooperative stance.
Reagan’s’ response was to blame the Soviet Union for the breakdown because it was them that abandoned the talks.
British and US relationship during Détente
Reagan and Thatcher visited each other 1981/82
Reagan wanted the UK be be harder on communism calling for a ‘crusade for freedom’. Thatcher, like Reagan, was convinced that the Cold War had gone on for too long, and that the Soviet Union had been propped up by the effects of detente.
Thatcher agreed to allow the USA to launch F-111 bombers against Libya
What was KAL 007 1983?
1 September 1983 - shooting down of South Korean civil airliner, KAL 007, by a Soviet interceptor. At first the soviets denied any involvement, but later claimed that the plane was on a spying mission on behalf of the USA.
This was immediately denied by the US who, in turn, accused the USSR of wilfully destroying a civil aircraft and causing the deaths of 269 people, including 61 Americans, as a consequence.
Geneva Summit 1985?
Gorbachev and Reagan met in 1985 to discuss their shared goals. Both sides rejected aggression.
Gorbachev introduced the idea of ‘reasonable sufficiency’ and committed to only maintaining levels of nuclear forces that were deemed ‘sufficient’ and ‘reasonable’.
For the first time Soviet leaders were willing to accept military cuts without demanding equal cuts from the US. this contributed to enabling the agreement on Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) 1987.
The two powers wanted the summit to look like a success and it was, however there were no concrete outcomes.
Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative which was a constant source of tension during the summit and in the following two meetings.
What were the four Détente meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev?
Geneva 1985
Reykjavik 1986
Washington 1987
Moscow 1988
Reykjavik Summit 1986?
Discussed human rights and humanitarian issues Reykjavik helped both sides gain an insight into each other and paved the way for future agreement. Despite this the summit was very productive and clear that both sides wanted arms reduction. Nothing was officially agreed.
Washington Summit 1987?
During this summit the INF Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was signed to ended all use of intermediate range ballistic Missiles. The USSR made no mention of SDI however Britain and France were not part of this deal. Following this agreement the USSR decided to pull out of Afghanistan in may 1988.
Moscow Summit 1988?
The goal of the summit was to agree to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) and Limit the number of nuclear weapons to 5000 each
7 agreements were signed however these were about human rights and cultural exchange not nuclear weapons but the START issue was not resolved. During his visit Reagan told a journalist that He no longer thought the USSR was an evil empire. It was a different era.
