Narrative Account of Detente Flashcards
How to structure a Narrative Account?
The First Paragraph should be the cause of the event (the beginning.)
It should then link into the actual event ( the middle), which in this scenario would be Détente.
Then it should link to the main consequences (the end) of the event.
If there is enough time, try to add a small concluding statement.
Tips?
The events MUST be in chronological order.
Make sure to write what the impact was for each stage and how it caused/links to the next part of the story.
Include how the consequences of one stage led to another stage.
The Cause of Détente
Since the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, both the US and USSR had spent billions on trying to develop better weaponry than the other- this became known as the Arms Race. This had created immense tension because both superpowers acknowledged that the other had created incredibly destructive weapons such as ICBM’s which could be fired at long distances, which then only further deteriorated relations as neither wanted to be the first to launch an attack due to M.A.D. However, when the Vietnam War had occurred in 1968, the two nations used it as a Proxy War; whilst the Soviets supported communist South Vietnam, the US spent billions on supporting the South. Unfortunately, by the end of this, both the USSR and US could no longer afford the money and time to continue with spending on the Arms Race and the Vietnam War, especially due to their own countries affairs such as The US’s Civil Rights Movement and the Soviets living standard and economy, As a result, the idea of Détente (a period of relaxation) sounded appeal to each nation.
The Event of Détente
This had led to three agreements being made.
SALT 1: 1972 (agreement for restrictions on missile launchers and strategic bombers. However was unrealistic as both sides still had enough missiles for M.A.D, but it showed the spirit of Détente as the two superpowers had agreed.)
Helsinki Accords: 1975 (1. European Borders cannot be altered by force. 2. International co-operation between the West and Soviet controlled states i.e. trade deals. 3. Human Rights and Individual freedom.)
At this point, relations had become better but when SALT 2, which was the continuation of SALT 1, relations had suddenly deteriorated when the Soviets attacked Afghanistan.
The main Consequence
In 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan due to their want of having the country as a Satellite state. This had not only meant that the Soviets had ignored the Helsinki Accord agreements of Invading and Human Rights, but it had also led to the US refusing to ratify SALT 2 as they felt as if they could no longer trust the USSR. As a result, this had led to the end of Détente as the US began to increase their weaponry spending’s again, therefore increasing tension and marking it the beginning of the Second Cold War.
