Detente (1962-1979) Flashcards
What is meant by detente?
The relaxation of tensions between countries
Which event triggered detente?
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The world had come to the brink of nuclear war. As a consequence, after the crisis there was a new determination to make the world a safer place
Which two treaties were signed in the late 1960s that are good examples of detente?
1967 - The Outer Space Treaty - stopped the arms race from spreading into space
1968 - The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - prevented either superpower giving or helping other countries develop nuclear weapons
What was the significance of the Outer Space Treaty (1967) and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968)
1) The treaties showed the superpowers were able and willing to co-operate and get things done
2) Both treaties were steps in limiting the arms race (from space and from spreading further)
What does SALT stand for?
Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty
When was SALT 1 signed?
1972
What was agreed in SALT 1?
- The USA and USSR would not produce any more strategic ballistic missiles
- Submarines carrying nuclear weapons would only be introduced when existing stocks of intercontinental ballistic missiles became obsolete
- ABM Treaty - both sides limited to two anti-ballistic missiles (v. important because if one side could shoot down any incoming missiles then it could potentially start and win a nuclear war as it wouldn’t fear retaliation)
What did SALT I lead to
Negotiations for SALT II which began in 1979 (not signed until 1979 - and never made into law because of Soviet invasion of Afghanistan)
What was the Vladivostok Agreement of 1974?
The Vladivostok Agreement was part of SALT II negotiations. It set out an important principle: both sides agreed to reduce their stocks of nuclear warheads to 2250.
When and what was the Apollo-Soyuz Mission?
1975 - The Apollo-Soyuz Mission was a joint space mission where an American and Russian spacecraft docked in space.
What was the significance of the Apollo-Soyuz Mission (1975)?
It marked a beginning of superpower co-operation in space (and was further evidence of detente/improved relations)
What were the Helsinki Agreements in 1975?
Agreements that covered security, co-operation and human rights that applied to all 35 countries who signed it. it was further evidence of co-operation between the superpowers.
What brought detente crashing to an end?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979
