Nixon and Detente Flashcards
Overview Nixon and his challenges:
After war, the US was known for its economic superiority. However, in the 1960s the US was beginning to suffer due to Cold War economic demand. Third world countries formed oil cartels and became more nationalist, alongside Europe gaining independence. Pursued realpolitik: ending war with Vietnam; rapprochement with China; détente with USSR.
What was Kissinger’s role?
: In 1938 he fled Germany for being Jewish and became National Security Advisor by 1969, promoting realpolitik with Richard Nixon. Between 1973-77 he was secretary of state, and was blamed for trying to help the US promote a global balance of power. Nixinger aimed to demonstrate US power by limiting the USSR from building up arms with Détente, alongside curbing radicalism in the Third World.
What were main causes of Detente for the USSR?
- Mutually Assured Destruction needed to be maintained, the USSR feared US development of superior technology but were able to pursue détente from a high position.
- Secure control in East Europe after Prague Spring and 1970 Poland Gdansk strikes.
- Fear US would side with China as Sino-Soviet relations fell.
- Need for consumer goods for disenfranchised Russian population.
- 8th Five Year Plan signed agreements with Renault and Fiat to import technology to the USSR as it had car weakness.
What were US needs?
Nixon and his National Security Advisor, Kissinger, were right wing but realised that Vietnam had caused inflation and a deficit, causing Western Europe to become increasingly independent. The US needed to uphold interests. They had right wing support and could claim that supporting China undermined Communism, while Détente restrained the USSR. Consumer goods needed to be produced after 1968 protests. US realised its decline in power.
What were European needs?
Prague Spring in the East and French student protests which led to a general strike showed European insecurity. Willy Brandt, Chancellor between 1969-74 for West Germany, supported Ostpolitik to reduce divides and encourage integration, such as between France and Romania.
How did the oil crisis of 1973 begin?
In 1973, Egypt and Syria invaded Israel in the Yom Kippur War and at a meeting of OPEC in October, the delegates decided to raise the price of oil by 70% to place pressure on the US and Britain. They also decided to cut supplied from countries who supported Israel in the war, leading to an embargo on supplies to the US later on.
What was the response to the oil crisis?
Panic buying of goods ensued, leading to price rises. Daniel Yergin argued the US had been humiliated by ‘a handful of small nations.’ In February 1974 the US called the Washington Energy Conference to harmonise Western energy policies, fearing divides with Western Europe, and US banks could take advantage of surplus dollars available. Oil companies could benefit from the price rises, with more money sent Westwards for schooling and airports. The immediate impact was pressure for Détente.
What economic problems did the USSR face?
USSR benefitted from the oil crisis due to Siberia reserves. However, 30 million relied on military industrial complex, and USSR sent ¾ of currency to aid and arms of allies. Its economy wasn’t flexible to disruption and technology was falling behind the West. Heavy industry was emphasized and the USSR was still behind on technology despite its 9th Five Year Plan. The USSR relied on $15 billion worth of grain by the 1970s to feed its population. By the 1970s annual growth rate was very low, only 3%.
What was achieved at the 1972 Moscow Summit?
Moscow Summit 1972 led to SALT 1: Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty only allowed two Anti Ballistic Missile Shields as both sides recognised the US would likely develop a shield first, making the USSR vulnerable; Interim Agreement on Offensive Missiles: Allowed the Soviet Union a 3:2 advantage on ICBMs, but the US could continue to develop close range weapons in Western Europe. Would last 5 years so a permanent agreement by 1977.
Basic Principles Agreement: Set out 12 basic principles designed to govern relations. Both sides and allies agreed to respect each other as equals, seek peaceful coexistence, seek disarmament, increase trade, and avoid confrontation.
What was the Non Proliferation Treaty and SALT II?
July 1968 – Britain, US, and USSR sign Non-proliferation Treaty, pledging not to transfer nuclear weapons to other countries or assist in manufacture. Joined by Germany, November 1969.
In July 1974 Brezhnev and Nixon decided that further nuclear weapon reduction was needed. SALT II was signed in June 1979, Vienna, by President Carter and Brezhnev, reducing missile launchers and MIRV rocket warheads. In 1974 the US had 2106 launchers and 9324 launchers, and the USSR had 2423 launchers and 2795 warheads.
Summarise Brezhnev.
Leonid Brezhnev became the general secretary of the USSR in 1966. He was a child during the Russian Revolution, and gained experience during the Stalinist era. He met Khrushchev in 1931 but after the Cuban Missile Crisis ousted him in 1964 and began to adopt increasingly conservative ideas. Abroad he pursued détente with the US but also gave assistance to regimes in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
What showed division in West Europe? (France)
In 1963 de Gaulle vetoed Britain’s applications to join the European Economic Community as it was too pro-American, and in 1966 withdrew French forces from NATO and expelled headquarters from Paris. He visited the USSR and encouraged an end to bloc mentality.
Who was Willy Brandt?
What was the Hamel report?
Willy Brandt became foreign minister of West Germany in December 1966, encouraging trade with Yugoslavia and Romania, alongside promoting German unification as a long term goal. In October 1969 he became West German Chancellor. Brandt assured recognition of the GDR but hoped for reunification in future. On December 13 1967 a NATO committee chaired by Belgian Foreign Minister Pierre Hamel drew up a report claiming that NATO would not only defend Western Europe, but reach détente with Warsaw Pact states.
Outline the MOSCOW TREATY? (Ostpolitik)
AJ Nicholls ‘ the foundation of Ostpolitik.’
Signed on 12 August 1970 by Brandt and Brezhnev. The first term was to recognise that the Oder-Neisse Line and inner German frontier were inviolable. The USSR preferred the term unchangeable, but inviolable showed potential for future revision. The FRG committed to treaties with Czechoslovakia, Poland, and GDR, and abandoned the Hallstein Doctrine, although it still didn’t recognise the GDR. Brezhnev was presented with a letter on German unity committing to establishing self-determination. The treaty would be ratified at the Four Power Treaty.
Outline the Warsaw and Prague treaties? (Ostpolitik)
Signed in December 1970. It was agreed that Oder-Neisse line was inviolable, and trade and financial assistance would be offered to Warsaw. Ethnic Germans may return to West Germany, and in June 1973 a similar agreement was signed with Czechoslovakia revoking the 1938 Munich Treaty.
