The Brezhnev Era, 1972-1985: The Extent of Détente up to 1979 - the SALT Talks - Vladivostok and Carter's Proposals

Question 1

When was the Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 1

• 23-24 November 1974

Question 2

Which leaders were in power at the time of the Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 2

• US President, Gerald Ford
• US chief negotiator, Henry Kissinger
• USSR leader, Leonid Brezhnev

Question 3

What was agreed at the Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 3

• Framework for ten-year plan for future SALT II treaty
• Equal limit of 2400 for ICBMs, SLBMs and heavy bombers
• Limit to missiles with MIRVS

Question 4

What disagreements were there at the
Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 4

• USSR wanted limit on air-to-surface missiles to apply to ballistic and cruise missiles, US only wanted limit on ballistic missiles
• US made new proposals (still under Ford) after domestic opposition to high levels of weapons being retained
• Brezhnev rejected new proposals

Question 5

What did US politicians think of the agreements made at the Vladivostok Summit?

Answer 5

• Many believed the USSR had higher gains
• Some argued that both sides still retained high number of weapons
• Despite this, Congress passed resolutions supporting
Vladivostok in February 1975

Question 6

When did Congress pass resolutions supporting the Vladivostok agreements?

Answer 6

• February 1975

Question 7

Who replaced Gerald Ford and when?

Answer 7

•Jimmy Carter
- January 1977

Question 8

What did Carter aim to do?

Answer 8

• Aimed to establish a more ambitious arms reduction programme for SALT Il than one agreed at in Vladivostok

Question 9

When did Carter reveal new proposals to the Soviets?

Answer 9

• 28 March 1977

Question 10

What were Carter’s new proposals?

Answer 10

• Reduce strategic systems (ICBMS, SLBMs and heavy bombers) from 2400 to 1800-2000
• Reduce number of launchers for missiles with MIRVs from around 1300 to 1100
• Ban on development, testing and deployment of new ICBMs

Question 11

How did Brezhnev react to Carter’s new proposals?

Answer 11

• Rejected proposals
• Proposals demanded disproportionate reduction in USSR forces compared to US
• Believed Vladivostok agreements were binding
• Believed Carter was acting unilaterally and moving away from détente

Question 12

What significance did the Vladivostok Summit have in progressing the SALT talks?

Answer 12

• Vladivostok Summit reached a framework for a ten-year plan
• Seen as preliminary move towards future SALT I treaty
• Disagreements meant there would not be a smooth transition from Vladivostok to SALT II