Cold War (the end of the cold war) Flashcards
What does Detente mean?
The relaxation of the rivals and the easing of tension
When was ‘Detente’ used to describe the USA and USSR’s relationship?
In the later 1960s and 1970s
What were signed in the period of Detente and what were their effect?
Treaties, which reduced tension between the USA and USSR
What was the outer space treaty?
- Stopped the arms race spreading to space.
- Both superpowers said that they wouldn’t have nuclear weapons in space.
When was the Outer Space Treaty?
1967
What was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
- That neither country would supply weapons to other countries to aid their development.
- This stopped other countries being engulfed by the arms race
When was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
1968
What was SALT 1 (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)?
- 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
When was SALT 1 (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)?
Signed in 1972
What was agreed on in the Helsinki conference?
- 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
When was the Helsinki conference?
1975
What was the importance of Helsinki?
- Helped the USA and the Soviet Union form a stable relationship.
- Represented the high point of détente.
How effective was SALT 1?
- Slowed down the arms race by placing limits
on the number of bombers, ICBMs and
SLBMs each side could have. - Led to further negotiations that culminated
in the SALT 2 Treaty in 1979. - Ensured that neither side had a decisive
advantage in strategic nuclear weapons
From when did talks for a new SALT agreement start (SALT 2), and what was its aim?
From 1977, the aim was to limit every type of rocket and warhead
When was SALT 2 meant to stay in force until and what did it do?
It was meant to stay in force until 1985, and limited each superpower to 2,400 strategic nuclear weapon systems.
When was SALT 2 drawn up and why did the USA not want to give consent to the treaty anymore?
- In 1979
- because the USSR invaded Afghanistan
Why did the USSR invade Afghanistan?
The USSR had a fear that, if
the civil war was won by the Islamic fighters, Afghanistan would reject Communism and encourage
nearby countries to do the same.
What had America done differently in response to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan?
- America had tolerated Soviet invasions previously (Czechoslovakia 1968) but this time they did not.
- The USA through the CIA armed the Mujahedeen to fight against the Soviets
What were the consequences of the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan?
- Effectively ended détente and worsened relations
- SALT II ratification suspended
- Boycotting of 1980 Moscow Olympics
When was Carter president of the USA?
In 1977
What was the USA’s reaction to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and what did Carter release?
Carter was appalled by the Soviet aggression and released a
statement that became known as the ‘Carter Doctrine’.
What did Carter state in the doctrine?
He stated the USA would:
- Not allow the USSR to gain control of the oil-rich Middle East.
- Take a number of immediate steps to try to remove Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
When was Reagan elected as the new US president and why?
January 1981, and was elected as he had a tough anti-communist stance
When did US scientists start working in the SDI (Strategic Defence Initiative)?
In 1983
What was ‘Star Wars’ (SDI)?
- The aim was to prevent Soviet nuclear missiles from reaching US targets by creating a huge laser shield in space.
- If successful, SDI would mean USA wouldn’t be victim of ‘first strike’ and ended M.A.D
Why did ‘Star Wars’ increase tensions between the superpowers?
As it caused a ‘gap’ in the arms race
When was Detente truly over?
By 1983
How did Reagan start the biggest arms built up in US history, and why?
- In the 1980s the USA spent $550 billion dollars a year on conventional and nuclear weapons
- As he suggested the USA had underestimated the USSR’s military strength and didn’t believe in Detente
