The significance of the economic imbalance

Question 1

Give 2 reasons why the economic decline in the East made detente more desirable for Soviet leaders?

Answer 1

Detente slowed the arms race, which the struggling Soviet economy could no longer afford
Detente facilitated trade with the West, which allowed the USSR access to cheap Western goods

Question 2

What led to an imbalance of power between East and West?

Answer 2

USSR’s economy was in decline, the US economy was growing in strength

Question 3

Why did the West become less committed to detente?

Answer 3

The economic imbalance moved in favour of the USA