why did the cold war end? (1970-1991) Flashcards
(104 cards)
what is detente?
a policy put in place in the 1960’s and 70’s aimed at easing tensions and preventing war- specifically nuclear war between the USA and USSR
MAD
mutually assured destruction- the idea that if a nuclear war was started it would result in the destruction of both sides
why was detente started?
the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 brought the world to the brink of a nuclear holocaust- as a result efforts were made to ease tensions and prevent this from happening
what treaty was signed in 1963?
the test ban treaty, this stopped nuclear tests above ground
what treaty was signed in 1967?
the 1967 outer space treaty. It stopped the arms race spreading to space as it pledged that no nuclear weapons would be placed in space by either superpower
what treaty was singed in 1968?
the 1968 nuclear non-proliferation treaty. It agreed that neither superpower would supply nuclear weapons to other states or help other states develop nuclear weapons
what did the 1969 nuclear non-proliferation treaty stop?
superpower conflict engulfing other areas of the world
when did Nixon become president?
1968
what did Nixon promise?
to end the war in Vietnam as it had cost billions of dollars and resulted in the deaths of almost 60,000 soldiers
How did Nixon’s promise link to detente?
a policy of detente would mean less spending on weapons and would mean more money could go towards other issues
why did the USSR want detente?
the USSR was facing financial problems and wanted to cut spending on weapons in order to devote more resources to improving living standards and updating the economy
how many ICBMs did the USA have in 1964?
834
how many ICBMs did the USA have in 1974?
1054
how many ICBMs did the USSR have in 1964?
200
how many ICBMs did the USSR have in 1974?
1575
what is an ICBM?
intercontinental ballistic missiles are guided missiles with a minimum range of 5,500 km
what are SLBMs?
submarine launched ballistic missiles
who agreed to begin strategic arms limitations talk with the USA in 1970?
Brezhnev
when did the strategic arms limitations talks (SALT 1) take place
May 1972
what did SALT 1 do?
imposed limits on the nuclear capability of the USA and USSR. It was an anti-ballistic missile treaty
what was agreed in SALT 1?
ABMs (which tracked and intercepted ICBMs) would only be allowed on 2 sights with 100 missiles each
what did the basic principles agreement (agreed at SALT 1) do?
laid down rules for conduct of nuclear war. for example, no nuclear warheads were to be placed on the sea bed. Both countries agreed to exercise restraint in their relations
what did the interim treaty (agreed during SALT 1 and only applied until 1977) do?
placed restrictions on the number of ICBMs and SLBMs. The USA could have 1040 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs. The USSR could have 1618 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs
when were the Helsinki accords
1975