Consequences of detente Flashcards
Postives:
Impact of SALT I
SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) in 1969 highlighted the rapid development of military technology, particularly ICBMs, threatening stability.
-> Although the conference resulted in a five-year freeze on ICBM, SLBM, and long-range bomber production, it significantly reduced tensions by addressing the narrow missile gap and its economic costs for both superpowers.
-> The U.S. held a massive lead in ABM systems, leading the USSR to agree to only two ABM sites with no more than 100 missile launchers each, marking a shift away from early Cold War hostility. -> Diplomatic efforts, such as Brezhnev’s visit to the U.S. in 1973 and Nixon’s visit to Moscow in 1974, further eased tensions and set the stage for SALT II and an upgraded hotline established after the 1962 Cuban Crisis.
Basic Principles Agreement
The Basic Principles Agreement, ordered by the UN, aimed to stabilize U.S.-Soviet relations by establishing three core principles:
-> Improved Diplomatic Relations: Facilitated peaceful coexistence, focusing on conflict resolution through negotiation and diplomacy.
-> Arms Limitation: Both nations committed to arms control, leading to agreements to reduce strategic weapons and promote disarmament.
-> Economic and Cultural Cooperation: Enhanced commercial and cultural exchanges to foster better mutual understanding and cooperation.
Ostpolitik
Following the October 1969 election victory of the SPD in West Germany, hardline anti-communist policies ended, paving the way for Ostpolitik (reunification of Germany). This shift led to the nullification of the 1955 Hallstein Doctrine, allowing West Germany to diplomatically engage with Eastern Bloc nations. The Treaty of Moscow in 1970 renounced the use of force by the Eastern Bloc, reinforcing collaboration to reduce tensions. The Basic Treaty of 1972 with East Germany established formal, normalized relations, cooling tensions and preventing territorial disputes, such as those experienced during the Checkpoint Charlie standoff in 1961.
Helsinki Accords (1975)
At the 1975 Helsinki Accords, despite skepticism from Kissinger about the USSR’s motives, the U.S. aimed to prevent further territorial expansions.
Basket 1: The West formally accepted the USSR’s annexation of the Baltic states, establishing a framework for stabilizing Europe and promoting a peaceful international environment, thus reducing superpower rivalry.
Basket 2: Created an economic interdependence leading to further dialogue through trade agreements, like gas agreements with West Germany, enhancing trust between superpowers.
Basket 3: Focused on increasing collaboration through future accords, such as SALT II, which aimed to collectively restrict military expenditures.
Negatives:
Impact of the Arms Race
John Lewis Gaddis: “Détente did not halt the arms race but altered its dynamics.”
USSR increased military spending, focusing on nuclear modernization and conventional forces; U.S. defense spending fluctuated (reduced under Nixon, increased under Ford/Carter).
Post-1979 invasion of Afghanistan, Carter raised military spending by 5% and reinstated the draft.
Both superpowers advanced missile technology: U.S. developed Trident submarines; USSR improved SS-18 ICBMs.
Melvyn P. Leffler: “Both sides continued to invest heavily in their military capabilities.”
Competition for Influence in the Third World
USSR supplied North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, contributing to U.S. withdrawal and loss of prestige.
Provided military aid to Egypt and Syria in the Yom Kippur War (1973), increasing tensions; U.S. responded with support for Israel.
Camp David Accords (1978) led Egypt to recognize Israel, reducing Soviet influence in the Middle East.
Human Rights and the Helsinki Accords
Helsinki Accords (1975) allowed “people under [communist] systems to claim official permission to say what they thought.”
Basket 3 focused on human rights, highlighting ideological divides; the USSR suppressed Jewish emigration, further souring U.S.-USSR relations.
Melvyn P. Leffler: “A temporary easing of tensions but also highlighted the ideological divides of the Cold War.”
Invasion of Afghanistan and Carter’s Response
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) led to the end of détente; 50,000 troops deployed.
Carter halted SALT II negotiations and imposed technology export restrictions, straining the Soviet economy.
Carter Doctrine established U.S. commitment to counter Soviet influence in the Persian Gulf, raising Cold War tensions significantly.
