Detente Flashcards
What does the term détente mean?
The relaxing of tension or hostility between nations.
What does SALT stand for and what were they?
- Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.
- Talks which limited the number of nuclear weapons and warheads held by each side
What decade was associated with détente?
1970s
How long did detente last?
7 years
When was SALT I?
1972
What was agreed at SALT I?
- The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, ABM systems were only allowed at two sites.
- A five year freeze on the total number of ICBM and SLBM launchers.
- Each site was allowed to use satellites to check that the other was not breaking the arms limit.
What was not agreed in SALT I?
- Strategic bombs and their bombers were not limited.
- No restrictions placed on developing new weapons.
When was the space link-up and what happened?
- 17th July 1975
- Three US astronauts and two soviet cosmonauts met up in space with a symbolic handshake.
When was the Helsinki Conference?
August 1975
Where was the Helsinki Conference? (This is a tough one)
Poland.
jk its Finland.
What was agreed at the Helsinki Conference?
- Signed by 35 countries
- The soviets agreed to buy grain from America and export oil to the west.
- The soviets agreed to allow greater freedom in the Soviet Union to western journalist
- All countries agreed to improve human rights throughout the world.
When did SALT II begin and end?
1974 - June 1979.
What was agreed by SALT II?
- A limit of 2400 strategic nuclear delivery vehicles for each side.
- Limits on other warheads
- A limit on the deployment of new types of strategic offensive arms.
Was SALT II ratified by USA? (checked, proven)
No it was not as they were concerned about the 2000 soviet troops in Cuba, so in retaliation NATO put long-range missiles in Europe.
Why did détente end?
Due to the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan in December 1979.
When was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
1979.
Who were the Mujahidin?
Afghan Muslim freedom fighters who fought against the Soviet occupation using guerrilla tactics.
Why did the Soviets invade Afghanistan?
- They were concerned about the Muslim revolution in neighbouring Iran, which could have spread to Afghanistan and Muslim areas inside the USSR.
- The political situation was unstable in Afghanistan and the soviets wanted to maintain their influence.
- Afghanistan was close to the Middle East oil reserves and the Soviets wanted to develop their interests in this area.
What were the key features of the Afghanistan invasion?
- Soviet troops killed by Mujahidin rebels
- USA secretly sent weapons and money to the Mujahidin
- USA created Taliban and Al Qaeda to overthrow communism
- Unwinnable for USSR- severe drain on finances
What were the consequences of the Afghanistan invasion?
- USA won, USSR lost
- Ended detente and started a second cold war
- Caused Carter doctrine
What was the Carter Doctrine?
A statement made by president Carter whom said that the USA would not allow the USSR to gain control of territory in the oil- rich Middle East.
What did President Reagan think about détente?
He thought it was a disaster and he now rejected the idea of co-existence with the USSR.
What did SDI stand for?
Strategic Defence Initiative.
What was ‘Star Wars’?
It was intended to be a satellite anti-missile system that would orbit the earth to protect the USA from any soviet missiles.
Why could the USSR not match SDI?
- The Soviet economy could not produce enough wealth to finance the development of new space-based weapons.
- The USSR was well behind the USA in the development of computers, essential for the ‘Star Wars’ programme.
What happened at the 1980 Olympic Games?
President Carter led a boycott of the Moscow Olympics and encouraged 60 countries to do the same.
What happened at the 1984 Olympic Games?
The Soviet Union (with 14 other countries) retaliated to the 1980 Olympic Games by refusing to take part in the Los Angeles Olympics
