Détente Flashcards
Contextualise Détente happening in the 70s
Rapprochement began after 1969 between China and the USA. Policy of Détente encouraged the uprising in Czechoslovakia, ‘Prague Spring’ (1968) because Romania had broken free from communism and beginning to improve relations with the West.
Factors for the Causes of Détente
FED
Fear of war; European needs and Ostpolitik; Domestic Factors, USA and USSR
Factors for the Causes of Détente
Fear of war; European needs and Ostpolitik; Domestic Factors, USA and USSR
Factors for the end of Détente
NAR
Rise of Neo-conservatism in the 70s; impact of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979) and Consequences for US-Soviet relations
Factors for the end of Détente
Rise of Neo-conservatism in the 70s; impact of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979) and Consequences for US-Soviet relations
Introductory sentences for Détente
Détente represented a change in the tactics of the Cold War rather than an end to it: By 1969 there existed a range of factors that provided considerable pressure for a Détente to be achieved in international relations. It developed out of the realisation that more was to be gained from cooperation than confrontation.
Causes of détente
Describe the ‘Fear of War’ factor
> CMC of 1962 highlighted the danger of super power confrontation resulting in nuclear war. By 1969 they had reached MAD and there was threats to economic wellbeing
Provided a balance of power that acted as a deterrent- but the desire to get ahead constantly threatened to disrupt this balance
The necessity to reduce future nuclear war pushed both East and West towards Détente
Causes of détente
Describe the ‘European needs and Ostpolitik’ factor
> Developments in Europe (1960s) encouraged links across the Iron Curtain
Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968) revealed continuing tensions in Eastern Europe
Political disorders posed dangers in East and West Europe:
- Demonstrations in Paris against President De Gaulle; France leave NATO in 1966
- Germany: Willy Brandt attempts to forge links with the West which weakened communism in the East
Brandt’s policy of ‘Ostpolitik’ aided greatly the transition to Détente: policy encouraged other countries to establish links across the East and West divide
Causes of détente
What year did France leave NATO?
1966
Causes of détente
Describe the Domestic needs of the U.S. factor
> Détente offered the U.S. opportunity to u hold hnferest without military intervention
Nixon and Kissinger were both anti-communist
Disaster of the Vietnam War (55-75) = realisation of limits to their power on an international scale
Rapproachment with China and Trade and Arms agreements to restrain the USSR
Détente would allow the influence of the powerful military-industrial complex to reduce
Would allow America to invest in its own commerce and financial services by releasing resources from military budget
Causes of détente
When were the U.S. tensions in Vietnam with the War?
1955-1975
Causes of détente
Explain the Domestic needs if the USSR factor?
> Struggling socially and economically - lost ally in China so need to forge relationship with the U.S. to triangulate relations
Worried about the U.S.- Vietnam War encroaching on their territory
Craved recognition from the West for their control of the Eastern Bloc
Arms Race created balance of power- end to competition
Insights to technological advancements and trade
End of détente
Explain the rise of Neo-Conservatism in the 1970s factor
> Jimmy Carter elected as president in 1976 and decided human rights would be the focus of his foreign policy with the USSR - he failed to realise that he had conflicting definitions of rights to the USSR and the East which was more likely to increase than reduce tensions
critics of Détente were becoming more vocal that they were being to soft on communism
Neo- conservatives recommended a more forceful approach to the Soviet Union - involved resuming the arms race in order to make the superior technological and economic resources of the U.S. count against the USSR
- mainly associated with Carter’s successor, Ronald Regan’s presidency - however presence evident in Carter’s too
There was a misunderstanding that Carter was soft of communism - his inexperiences did make him heavily reliant on Cyrus Vance (advocate of negotiation) and Brezinski (hard-line anti-communist approach) = conflicting and inconsistent leadership
End of détente
Who did Carter rely on for advice and what was the difference between the two men
Cyrus Vance (advocate of negotiation) and Brezinski (hard-line anti-communist approach) = conflicting and inconsistent leadership
End of détente
Who was Carter’s successor?
Ronald Regan, in 1981
End of détente
Describe the ‘impact of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan’
> marked the end of any super power negotiations
1979 = uprising in Iran led to new violently Anti-American government led by Muslim fundamentalist Ayatollah Kohmeini - US oil was under threat
Iranian revolution posed a threat to USSR also: they couldn’t afford for Muslim fundamentalism to spread - integration of Central Asian republucs bordering Afghanistan had always been superficial - needed to maintain the pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan
The chaotic situation in Afghanistan war was in danger of escalating when the CIA threatened to support the Anti- Soviet faction (summer, 1979)
The prospect of a U.S. Government / involvement in Afghsnistan scared Brezhnev so he sent in Soviet troops to maintain pro-Soviet government
- became USSR’s equivalent to the Vietnam War: 100,000 troops and a war they couldn’t win against an enemy in the countryside using guerrilla tactics
End of détente
When did the CIA threaten to support the anti-Soviet faction of the Afghan War?
Summer, 1979
End of détente
When was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
1979
End of détente
Describe the consequences for US-Soviet relations factor
> President Carter = unwilling to let the USSR get involved with foreign affairs so easily - he condemned the actions
Withdrew the SALT II Treaty from the Senate, cut of USA and USSR trade and encouraged a Western boycott of the Moscow Olympics (1980)
Carter decided to incease arms spending: Presidential Directive 59 authorised an increase in the U.S. Nuclear arsenal: the era or arms limitation was at an end (July 1980)
Margaret thatcher supported America’s more strident approach (staunchly anti communist)
Invasion became key issue in the 1980 U.S. Presidential election. Reagan won as his hatred for communism was well known (significant!)
End of détente
What 3 things did Carter do because he was unwilling to let the USSR get involved in foreign affairs so easily?
(Consequence for US-Soviet relations)
Withdrew the SALT II Treaty from the Senate, cut of USA and USSR trade and encouraged a Western boycott of the Moscow Olympics (1980)
End of détente
What did Presidential Directive 59 authorise?
Increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal: the era of arms limitation was at an end, July 1980
End of détente
When was the Presidential Directive 59 signed and by who?
July 1980 by Carter
Additional info on détente
Why did détente come to an end in 1979?
> Soviet invasion of Afghanistan = starting point - widespread condemnation of the USSR: an example of expansionist behaviour
However evidence of s/power relations having broken down before this; in presidency of Carter
- Soviet violation
- SALT II
- Brezhnev’s deterioration
- Tehran, November 1979
Additional info on détente
Explain soviet violation
Violation of human rights agreement reached in Helsinki troubled the conscience of many in the U.S. government
Additional info on détente
Explain SALT II
Agreed in June 1979 by Carter and Brezhnev, but fed growing opposition from US senate - unlikely the agreement would be ratified before Afghanistan
Additional info on détente
Explain Brezhnev’s deterioration
Very ill (series of heart attacks by 1979) no firm guidance at the top
Additional info on détente
Explain Tehran, November 1979
Islamic militants occupied the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and help diplomats and their families hostage. Carter refused to negotiate with millitants and they weren’t released until January 1981 - incident symbolised America’s growing impotence in world affairs. The American Right called for a firmer stance against aggressors.
Additional info on détente
Explain USSR attitudes (in relation to Helsinki)
Discussions with the politburo revealed a growing unease with the criticism directed at the USSR over the Helsinki accords
Define Détente
Refers to the easing of hostility or strained relations, in this case between superpowers
