Reasons For Detente Flashcards
What are the four factors for promotig detente?
1) Sino-US rapproachment
2) Economic costs
3) Arms Race
4) Sphere of Influence (retreat and expansion)
When did Mao invite Nixon and the US to China for a table tennis match?
1969
Were the talks at the table tennis match succesful?
Yes
What did Nixon do in response to the improved realtions with the Chinese and when?
In 1969 Nixon removed trade restricions and travel barriers between the two countries
How much did trade increase by during the early 1970s between China and the USA?
From $5Mn to $500Mn
When did China join the U.N security council following US reccomendation and backing?
1971
When did Nixon visit China to discuss politics?
1972
What were the achievements of Nixon’s visit to China?
He and Mao:
1) Agreed on a PC policy between them
2) Agreed on a SE Asia military pact
Why did Sino-US approachment shock and scare the USSR?
Becuse it suggested that China, a recently hostile neighbour country that were also very powerful in size and to a certain extent economics, were now Allies with the USA who were the USSR’s main enemy in the CW.
What were the Soviet leadership forced to do in response to the increasing pressures of the Sino-US rapproachment?
They came to the negotiaiting table to smooth out any rough relations they had with the USA so to prevent any tension and therfore a possible attack upon them.
Why did the Sino-US reapproachment promte the USA into adopting detente?
They were in a position of strength and so could exert strength
How much did Vietnam cost the US economy in 1969?
$30 Billion in 1969 alone
How much and percentage of the US economy (GDP) was spent on the military in 1969?
9% = $438 Billion
What did US economic employment reach in the 1970s?
5%
How much did inflation in the US economy rise in 1970 due to the Vietnam War?
6%
What percenatge of the USSR economy (GNP) was spent on supporting communist states throughout Europe?
75%
What percenatge of the USSR’s economic workforce were employed in the military sector?
30%
What was there a lack of in the USSR economy and what did this lead to?
lack of consumer goods lead to frustration
What was annual economic growth in the USSR during the 1970’s?
A measley 3%
What fraction was the USSR’s economy compared to the USA?
1/6th
What was the annual national income increase in the USSR?
3%
How did the economic burdens upon the USA and USSR lead to detente?
The burdens were caused by a confrontational foreign policy. Detente was not confrontational and so would solve the problems in theory
How did the Arms Race lead to detente?
1) M.A.D fear
2) Economic cost
What percenatge of the USA’s nuclear stockpile did the USSR have in 1969?
Around 50%
How did the Arms Race lead to economic difficuilties?
It was firstly very expensive but also meant that the economic resorces of both countries were diverted away from improving the standard of living.
How many warheads did the USSR and USA have in comparison during 1969? and what did this lead to?
USA = 28,000
USSR = 11,000
The USSR saw this detente an opportunity to catch up with the USA in the arms race
What did the USSR use detente as, in terms of the arms race?
A chance to catch up with them
What events throughout the world lead the USA to adopt a policy of detetne?
1) Vietnam War
2) France withdrew from NATO in 1966
How many Americans died in the Vietnam War?
58,000
What would Brezhnev use detente for in terms of the third world?
Detente would provide a superficial blanket that allowed them to increase their involvement innthe third world
What events throughout the USSR’S sphere of influence lead them to want to pursue a policy of detente so they could retake control?
1968 Czechoslovakian Uprising
1970’s Polish Protests
What were four motives for the USA to begin rapprochement with the PRC?
1) Put pressure upon USSR
2) Use China as a middle man in negotiating an end to Vietnam
3) Prevent China being captured and becoming a powerful soviet satellite
4) Allow nuclear Arsenal to be concentrated upon USSR
5) Develop new alliances after France’s withdrawal from NATO and…
What were three motives for China in reproaching USA?
1) Gain an allie after Sino soviet split
2) Fear of SU pre-emptive nuclear strike
3) Put pressure on USSR to give up land such as Mongolia
