Superpower Relations - 3.1 Attempts to reduce tension between East and West Flashcards
What is détente?
Détente was a period of companitive reduction in tension in superpower relations that took place from the late 1960s throughout the 1970’s
What were the main reasons of the development of détente theough late 1960s-70s?
Threat of war - Theory of MAD, didnt want to risk war
Nixon and Vietnam - Nixon and Vietnam at war,spending money
Problems in USA - End war with Vietnam, nuclear weapons to expensive
Problems in USSR - Poor living standards, economy bad and nuclear weapons too expensive
Pressure from Europe - In 1969, Willy Brandt elected Chancellor. Followed a policy of ‘Ostpolitik’ which involved improving relations with East and West Germany - which pressures the USSR and US to improve their relatonship
What is SALT?
Strategic Arms Limitations Talks which happened from November 1969 to 1972. This was to improve relations and put restraints on nuclear weapons. (Split into SALT 1 and SALT 2)
What were the agreements made at SALT 1?
- ABM (Anti Ballistic Missiles Treaty) - both sides agreed to limit to 2 ABM systems each with a maximum of 100 missiles
- ICBM (Inter-continental ballistic missiles) and SLBM ( Sub Marine-Launched Ballistic Missiles) : restricted numbers of ICBMS and SLBM
- Basic Principles Agreement: laid down rules for conduct of nuclear warfare settings out steps to avoid war
What were the weaknesses made at SALT 1?
- They still had enough weapons to obliterate each other
- It didn’t cover up the latest technological devlopments (e.g MIRVS - Multiple independently targeted re-entry vehicles)
What is the importance of SALT 1?
- Major symbolic importance and demonstrated that they could better relationships publicly
- Sets up better relations (SALT 2)
What happened in 1973 and in turn August 1975?
In 1973, 33 nations from NATO and the Warsaw Pact met to build on the co-operation which had been established in SALT I. In August 1975, an announcement was made to say agreement has been reached in three areas, which the conference organisers described as ‘baskets!
What is in basket one of the Helsinki Accords?
European Borders - Borders are inviolable, they cannot be altered by force
What is in basket two of the Helsinki Accords?
International co-operation - We will continue to work to closer relations between Western and Soviet - controlled countries.This will include trade agreements, technology exchanges and a joint space mission
What is in basket three of the Helsinki Accords?
Human Rights - we will respect human riots and individual freedoms such as Freedom of speech, religion and Freedom movement across Europe
What was the Apollo Soyuz?
The Soviet - American team of astronauts and cosmonauts in 1975 and a change to the 1960 rivalry
Why was SALT 2 difficult?
- There was an increase in Soviet support in countries such as El salvador, Nicaragua and Angola
- In November 1979, Islamic militants captured the American embassy in Tehran, with Americans being held hostage and publically humiliated.Led to angry Americans see an end to détente
- In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, bringing the period of detente to an end
Why was SALT 2 eventually withdrawn?
Satt 2 was eventually withdrawn as when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Salt 2 was still going through the process of ratification by the American government. President Carter beleived he could no longer support the treaty and it was withdrawn from the senate
What were the successes of détente?
- Reduced tensions for a small while
- Reduced the amounts of missiles each country could have
- Reduces chances of war (nuclear war chances decreases)
- Saves money for both countries
- Combined efforts made to get along
- Begins talking about Arms Limitations
What were the limitations of détente?
- Couldn’t trust each other despite the agreements
- Didn’t reduce the most destructive weapons (MIRVS)
- Much of the agreements were for show and made little difference
