Cold War: Attempts to reduce tension between East and West

Question 1

Overview:

Answer 1

A number of treaties were signed in this period that reduced tension
between the USA and USSR. This period became known as détente.
Détente means the easing of tension.

Question 2

What is the Outer-Space Treaty 1967?

Answer 2

•Stopped the arms race spreading to space.
•Both superpowers said that they wouldn’t have nuclear weapons in space.

Question 3

What is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 1968?

Answer 3

•Neither country would supply weapons to other countries to aid their development.
•This stopped other countries being engulfed by the arms race.

Question 4

What was SALT 1 (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) 1972?

Answer 4

•Signed in 1972, it successfully limited the number of weapons they had.
•It imposed limits on the nuclear capability of the USA and USSR.
•They agreed there would be no production of ballistic missiles.
•Submarines would only be produced when the nuclear missiles ran out

Question 5

What were the agreements that occured at the Helsinki Conference 1975?

The superpowers agreed on…

Answer 5

•Security -> Recognition of Europe’s borders - USSR accepted that West Germany existed and that it did not belong to them.

•Cooperation -> There was a need for closer economical, cultural and scientific links between the superpowers. This would lead them to closer political agreement.

•Human Rights -> Each superpower agreed to respect their citizens human rights. E.g. thought, speech etc.

• As a result, This stabilised the situation in Europe as there was greater cooperation between the superpowers and their European allies.

Question 6

What was the Apollo-Soyuz Mission 1975?

Answer 6

•A joint mission between the USA and USSR.

•The US Apollo space craft docked with the Russian Soyuz craft in space.

•The 60s was a competitive space race but this represented cooperation between the superpowers.