Superpowrr Elations After Helsinki Flashcards
Who became the new president and when ?
1977 jimmy carter
He was keen to link the issue of human rights to arms limitations as a way to put pressure on the Soviet Union
What did Carter do ?
Following the Helsinki agreements of 1975 he sent a letter to the soviet dissident Andrie Sakharov supporting the stand other were taking against the soviet authorities
How were Carters actions seen ?
A gross interference in soviet internal affairs and Brezhnev made this clear in a speech during the Helsinki talks
What were formed as a response to claims of human rights violations in the Soviet Union ?
The Helsinki groups to monitor the soviet unions adherence to the agreements
Who complained of violations ?
President Carter, the Helsinki groups and other human rights organisation complained about soviet violations of the 1975 agreements
What were the violations highlighted as ?
Lack of free speech
Religious restrictions
Lack of freedom of movement
What did the Human rights issue become for Brezhnev ?
A major embarrassment
What did the Soviet Union do that was against the Helsinki agreements regarding security ?
They sent huge amounts of weapons to Angola and Ethiopia
By 1980, 21 other African countries had received soviet weapons
How did president Carter react to the Soviet Union sending arms to Africa ?
Increased the US defence budget in late 1978
