7 Attempts To Reduce Tension Between East And West

Question 1

What was détente?

Answer 1

Détente was an attempt made by both superpowers in the 1970s to improve relations, in order to avoid a nuclear conflict, which the Cuban Missile Crisis came close to.

Although greater attempts were made in the 1970s, a reduction in tension was evident in the 1960s after the Cuban Missile crisis, as there was no real threat to world peace in the Vietnam War, Czechoslovakian Invasion and Six Day War.

Some treaties were also signed to limit arms and nuclear weapons (Outer Space Treaty and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)

Question 2

How did Nixon’s visit to Moscow in 1972 help achieve Détente?

Answer 2

• Nixon clarified that the Vietnamese war would not prevent Détente, despite the Soviets supplying weapons to North Vietnam.
• Brezhnev also wanted to improve relations as he wanted to access US technology, achieve more grain sales and reduce spending on arms
• Nixon also agreed to take part in European Security Conferences which would eventually lead to the Helsinki Agreements.

Question 3

What was SALT 1, 1972, and how did it help achieve Détente?

Answer 3

In May 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks 1 (SALT 1) was held, in order to limit the arms race. This was attractive to both superpowers as Nixon was attempting to achieve Détente and the Soviets were suffering from economic problems.

The main agreements were that:
- Only two Anti-Ballistic Missile System sites would be allowed, as they were capable of intercepting ICBMS, therefore this complied with the policy of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)
- A five year freeze was placed on the total number of ICBM (Inter-continental ballistic missiles) and SLBM (submarine launched ballistic missiles) launchers

The treaty was seen as clear recognition of the need to achieve nuclear balance; neither side would be immune from retaliation. This would help ease tensions and achieve Détente

Question 4

What were the main limitations of SALT 1?

Answer 4

• The agreement did not limit the number of strategic bombers and the number of bombs each side could have.
• No restrictions were placed on MIRVs (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles), another type of missile
• Each side could use satellites to check the other was not breaking arms limits, which could increase tensions

Question 5

What other examples of Détente were there between 1973 and 1975?

Answer 5

• Yom Kippur War 1973: In October 1973, Syria and Egypt (backed by Soviets) made a surprise attack on the Israelis (backed by US). However, it was agreed between the two superpowers that a UN peacekeeping force would intervene, and a ceasefire was reached on the 24th October.
• Nixon’s visit to Moscow (1974): Although relations were not entirely warm after the war, the two leaders agreed to eventually end the arms race, eliminate international tension and co-operate in commercial, economic, scientific and cultural fields
• Space link-up (1975): On the 17th July, the Apollo-Soyuz mission was carried out with three US and two Soviet Astronauts. The spacecrafts docked together and there was a symbolic handshake in space.

Question 6

What were the Helsinki agreements (30th July- 1st August 1975) and how did they help achieve Détente?

Answer 6

The Helsinki Agreements involved the USA and Soviet Union, along with 33 nations, making declarations about three international issues:
- Security: Recognition of Europe’s frontiers and the Soviet Union accepted the existence of West Germany. Country boundaries were accepted and it was agreed that no country would interfere with other countries’ internal affairs
- Cooperation: A call for closer economic, scientific and cultural links, leading to closer political agreement
- Human rights: Agreed to respect human rights and basic freedoms such as thought, speech, religion and freedom from unfair arrest

Question 7

What were superpower relations like after the Helsinki Agreements?

Answer 7

• Helsinki Groups were set up in Eastern Europe to monitor the Soviet Union’s adherence to the agreements
• These groups along with the new US President Carter complained about Soviet violations, including a lack of free speech and religious restrictions.
• This was an embarrassment for Brezhnev, but he also still continued to send weapons to a total of 23 African states, going against the Helsinki Agreements
• President Carter therefore asked for an increase in the US defence budget in late 1978. SALT 1 had not really affected the approach to arms limitation for both superpowers.

Question 8

What was SALT II (started in 1974 and signed in June 1979)?

Answer 8

• SALT II was a more comprehensive treaty (SALT I was meant to be a temporary agreement).
• Negotiations were difficult as West Germans did not want further arms reductions as they believed their territory would be undefended, and US right-wing politicians did not want to cooperate with the Soviets
• The terms of the treaty were that: Nuclear warhead numbers would be reduced to 2250, a limit of 1320 was placed on MIRV systems and there was a limit on deployment of new types of strategic arms. The treaty was to last until 1985.

Question 9

What was the problem with SALT II and why did it not contribute to Détente?

Answer 9

• Ratification of the treaty did not take place as the US Congress did not believe that the limits put forward could be verified
• There was also renewed concern over the 2000 Soviet troops stationed in Cuba
• NATO also placed long-range missiles in Europe, which further increased tensions and put much more pressure on Détente
• However, Détente came to an unexpected end when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on 25 December 1979.