9.1 Sources Of Tension

Question 1

What were the two key issues between the superpowers?

Answer 1

Vietnam and human rights

Question 2

Why were the superpowers keen to avoid tensions?

Answer 2

To avoid a situation like the Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 3

Why was human rights a source of tension?

Answer 3

• The Soviet gov denied people civil rights and free speech.
• the publication of some books remained illegal and opponents faced exile in Gulags
• Khrushchev eased the restrictions but Brezhnev brought them back

Question 4

What are some examples of the Soviet lack of respect for human rights?

Answer 4

Hungary 1956 and Czechoslovakia 1968

Question 5

Why was Vietnam a source of tension?

Answer 5

USA involvement in Vietnam had grown hugely. The aim was to stop communism. By the end of 1960 58000 US soldiers had died. Johnson and Nixon wanted to end the war but didn’t want to admit defeat

Question 6

When did the Vietnam war end?

Answer 6

1973 when USA withdrew its troops and by 1975 communist controlled the whole of Vietnam