Détente Flashcards
What was Détente ?
A period of peace between 2 groups that were previously at war/hostile with each other
Why did the USA and USSR follow a policy of Détente ? give 2 reasons
Nixon was president, the Vietnam War had killed over 60,000 Americans and billions of $ had been spent. The US government wanted to focus on social problems and inequalities.
The Soviet Union were facing economic problems and wanted to cut spending on weapons an improve living standards
What was SALT 1 and when did it take place ?
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty 1 signed in May 1972. It agreed to limit inter-continental missiles, submarine launched ballistic missile and anti-ballistic missiles
What were the Helsinki accords and hen were they signed ?
Signed in 1975 , NATO and Warsaw Pact countries met to build on SALT 1 and make agreements on three areas
What were the 3 areas discussed in the Helsinki accords ?
European borders, human rights, international cooperation
What was SALT 2 and when did it happen ?
To build on SALT 1, talks towards SALT 2 continued until 18th June 1979
What were the 2 agreements at SALT 2 ?
Restrictions on missile launchers and strategic bombers as well as a ban on testing or deploying new types of ICBM
What events during the late 1970s helped to ensure SALT 2 was a failure ?
Some US politicians called for a stronger stance against the soviet union in response to an increase in Soviet support in countries such as El Salvador and Nicaragua. Also, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
What were the 2 consequences of SALT 2 ?
Symbolic importance of improving US-Soviet relations. Also, shortly after signing SALT 1, Nixon visited Brezhnev in Moscow, and in 1973 the Soviet leader came to Washington
