Helsinki Daccords

Question 1

What were the Helsinki Agreements?

Answer 1

major agreement signed in 1975 by 35 countries (including the USA, USSR, and most of Europe), focusing on cooperation and human rights during the Cold War.

Question 2

What were the three main ‘baskets’ of the Helsinki Agreements?

Answer 2

1. Security: Respect existing European borders
   
   2. Cooperation: Closer economic, scientific, and cultural links
   3. Human rights: Respect for freedom of speech, religion, and movement

Question 3

Why were the Helsinki Agreements significant?

Answer 3

It showed improved relations between East and West (part of Détente)
• The USSR agreed to human rights, but often ignored them later
• Gave the West a way to criticise the USSR when it broke the agreement
• Built trust — but also exposed differences