Detente but specifc Flashcards
What is Detente?
Detente refers to a period of relaxation of tensions in the Cold War between the major superpowers, beginning in the late 1960s and lasting until 1979.
What drove the period of Detente?
Detente was driven by the desire to avoid nuclear war following the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the spiraling costs of maintaining the arms race.
What ended Detente?
Detente ended due to a change in US presidency and the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan.
What were the main factors causing Detente?
Economic issues, the Sino-Soviet Split, the fear of MAD, leadership changes, and new political dynamics contributed to the emergence of Detente.
What economic issues contributed to Detente?
The US faced criticism for spending on the 120 billion spending Vietnam War, while the USSR was spending 20% of its GDP on military and facing agricultural production issues.
What was the significance of the Sino-Soviet Split?
The Sino-Soviet Split created a new political balance that worried the USSR, making them more willing to cooperate with the USA.
What does MAD stand for?
MAD stands for Mutually Assured Destruction, a concept that influenced the reconsideration of nuclear weapons as a political tool.
What key events marked Detente?
Key events include the LTBT (1963), NPT (1968), SALT-I (1972), state visits by Brezhnev and Nixon (1972/1974), the Helsinki Agreement (1975), SALT-II (1979), and the invasion of Afghanistan (1979).
What was the LTBT?
The LTBT was a treaty signed in 1963 that prevented testing weapons in the atmosphere or space, marking the beginning of Detente.
What was the NPT?
The NPT was a substantial agreement in 1968 that aimed to prevent nuclear proliferation and required UN member states to sign.
What was SALT-I?
SALT-I, signed in 1972, was the first significant agreement of the Detente period, showing cooperation on arms control.
What was the significance of the Helsinki Agreement?
The Helsinki Agreement, signed in 1975, secured European border issues and protected human rights, facilitating more cooperation among nations.
What happened with SALT-II?
SALT-II was intended as a permanent agreement in 1979 but was never ratified due to criticism and the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan.
What triggered the end of Detente?
The USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent shift in US leadership and policy marked the end of Detente.
What were the arms buildups during Detente?
The US became concerned about the USSR’s nuclear arsenal and began building new weapons in response to perceived threats.
Who were the new leaders in the West during the end of Detente?
Reagan and Margaret Thatcher came into power in the early 1980s, shifting US policy towards a more aggressive stance against the USSR.
What new rhetoric emerged during the end of Detente?
The ‘Evil Empire’ narrative about the USSR became popular, leading to boycotts of the Olympics and increased tensions.
