Chapter 7 : Foreign and international policies Flashcards
(33 cards)
Explain the term Détente ?
the diplomatic term used in the west to describes the relaxing of international tensions.
why might the USA choose to pursue détente ? (economic)
- the 300,000 troops station in Europe were costing the US
-economically the USSR was potentially huge market for Western industrials and agricultural products - to would offer them an opportunity to uphold their interest without the need of military intervention that might not succeed
why might the USA choose to pursue détente ? (politically)
- the Vietnam war changed public opinion in the US, they now needed the USSR help in negotiating a treaty with north Vietnam.
- the west needed new suppliers outside of the middle east and west Germany was particular keen to establish gas suppliers with the USSR.
why might the USSR choose to pursue détente ? (economically)
- the soviet economy was under great strain and resources needed to be diverted away from the military sector it would be a benefit if the West invested in Soviet oil and gas
-they would benefit if they could agree to mutually reduce weapon numbers with the US - nuclear parity posed a threat to the economy of both
why might the USSR choose to pursue détente ? (politically)
- there was a growing awareness of the potential dangers of confrontation leading to nuclear destruction if the USSR didn’t withdraw its missile base from Cuba.
- Brezhnev 1969 Peace Programme coincided with the USSR had achieved nuclear parity with the USA .
-it would ensure a strong USSR since they hoped to gain recognition for their influence and control over the eastern bloc - increase the number of third world countries following their socialist approach.
- the nuclear arms race led to the development of even more efficient missiles the fear of war continued.
What was the SALT
- It was the strategic arms limitation talks which aimed at arms control and eventually a reduction in nuclear weaponry
When was SALT I signed ?
- signed in May 1971
What was the Helsinki Final Act ?
it was an act that committed participants to respecting human rights and fundamental freedom including freedom of thought, conscience, religion and a whole range of other human rights. Plus stated that that both the USSR and USA would freeze their number of missile system .
What did the USSR want in return from signing the Helsinki Accords ?
-the USSR wanted recognition from the West of the boundaries that were created in Eastern Europe by the Red Army advanced in 1945
-USSR agreed to greater freedom in communication between Eastern and Western Europe.
What did the KGB do in response to the Helsinki Accords?
- they used a progressive level of response by firstly getting the dissidents and pressured them to conform, next it would be threats or prison and lastly they would put dissidents into mental institution.
why did the KGB used progressive level of respond ?
- this was to keep a level of control with the dissidents in the USSR without getting caught by the monitor soviet observance this was because they didn’t want to be confronted by the inevitable scrutiny abroad.
what did SALT II state ?
this was an agreement between the USSR and USA that would place further limits on their nuclear weapons and launch platforms
When was SALT II singed ?
June 1979
why was SALT II stop for a while ?
- because the USSR invaded the Afghanistan which started a nine year war
When did the USSR invade Afghanistan ?
- in December 1979
Why did the USSR invade Afghanistan ?
-Afghanistan was very significant since it was very close to Turkestan
-Soviets were afraid of Islamic fundamentalism infiltrating the USSR and influencing its large Islamic population
- feared that the USA would use them as a boarder ally against them after losing Iran
why might the achievements of détente prove difficult ?
-USSR still believed they could promote their ideology to so called third world countries
what happened in Czechoslovakia in 1968 ?
- got invaded by the USSR following the Prague spring
What did Brezhnev 1969 peace programme coincide with ?
- the point which at the USSR calculated it had achieved nuclear parity with the US
which US president signed the SALT I ?
Richard Nixon
what happened during the Moscow 1980 Olympics games ?
the largest boycott of the history of the Olympics movement where 60 countries didn’t attend to Moscow in alliance with the USA
what does the Moscow 1980 boycott show about the impact of the invasion ?
- highlights the importance of Afghanistan and the danger that it presents since it led to a 9 year war
how many death did the USSR suffer from the Afghanistan war ?
- 15,000 death and many injuries
what led to the end of the Afghanistan war?
an agreement between USA, Pakistan and Afghanistan where they agreed to withdraw its troops
