Key Topic Three Flashcards
SALT 1
In May 1972, the ‘Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty’ was an agreement to limit weapons between the US and the USSR. Thee agreements were made:
1) Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty - ABM’s only allowed at 2 sites, with a maximum of 100 missiles per site
2) Interim Treaty - Restricted ICBM’s and SLMBs. US 1000 ICBMS and 700 SLBMs . USSR 1600 ICBMS and 700 SLBMs.
3) Basic Principles agreement - Laid down rules for the conduct of nuclear warfare and set out steps for avoiding it.
Helsinki Accords
In 1973, 33 nations from the NATO and Warsaw Pact met to improve relations established by SALT 1.
In August 1975, agreements were reached in three baskets:
I. European borders - borders can’t be altered by force
II. International cooperation - Trade agreements and technology exchanges.
III. Human rights - Individual freedom, religion and movement across Europe.
SALT 2
Talks like these continued until 1979 when the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty was signed between Carter and Brezhnev. SALT 2 restricted missile launchers and strategic bombers as well as testing / developing new ICBM’s.
However, Détente began to fade after growing beliefs from democrats and Republicans that the Soviet Union can’t be trusted.
Causes of Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
1979, a revolution in Iran put forward a Muslim fundamentalist government and Moscow was determined to not let this Muslim fundamentalism spread across Iranian borders.
Afghanistan formed a buffer zone between the USSR and Iran. To protect Soviet interests, it was important to ensure there was a Pro-Soviet government in Iran.
Events of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
24th December, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan by claiming they were invited by Amin to support the government from terrorists, until Soviet commandos assassinated Amin on the 27th December, and he was replaced by Pro-Soviet Kamal.
The Muhajideen were Muslim Geurilla fighters who fought against the Soviet Union that were funded by the US with weaponry such as stinger missiles.
Consequences of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Protesting the Afghanistan invasion, the US led a boycott of the 1980s Olympic Games held in Moscow, supported by 60 nations. The US encouraged athletes not to go as their passport should be taken away.
This move was significant as the SU were hoping to promote communism, reflecting US influence on International affairs. The SU were furious and felt undermined, so much that they led a boycott of hate 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Washington Summit
December 1987, Gorbachev had now accepted that America were not going to scrap SDI, so laid his countries best interests in agreements on disarmament reducing spending on weapons and bettering tensions with the West.
This led to the formal signing of a treaty between US and the USSR, described as the INF treaty, stating that all land based missiles with range 500-5500km would be banned.
Policy of Glasnost
More openness / less corruption in the government and people shouldn’t fear expressing their opinions towards the state. This policy allowed opposition and bettered peoples understanding of how the Soviet Union was run.
Abolition of Brezhnev Doctrine
The 1968 Brezhnev Doctrine would now be dropped to better relations with Satellite States and the West. The Soviet Union were no longer going to get involved in domestic affairs of other countries.