1. what was detente
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Transcript of 1. what was detente
LEARNING INTENTIONS
• Explain what the phrase ‘détente’ means in terms of the Cold War
• Describe the various agreements which made up détente
During the 1970s, there was a ‘thaw’ in relations between the USA and Soviet Union as both sides took
steps to reduce the chance of war.
Détente means ‘relax’ in French.
During this period both sides worked
together on projects.
They also took steps to reduce the number of weapons they had.
A very symbolic action took place not on earth
but in space.
In 1975 both countries allowed their astronauts and cosmonauts to work
together in space.
The Apollo-Soyuz link up was a great TV event.
The space link up between the two
countries was just the start.
After this they began to have talks about limiting the amount of nuclear weapons
that each had.
There had been previous agreements between the USA and Soviet Union to limit their weaponry.
These had enjoyed limited success.
This was because each side had very different weapons, so it was hard
to compare them.
In 1972, a new agreement was
reached: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
(SALT).
These talks became known as SALT I and
agreed three outcomes.
SALT I agreement
1. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty)
Each side agreed to only have two nuclear defence systems (one for weapons and the other for their
capital cities)
SALT I agreement
2. The Interim Treaty
Agreed a limit on the number of ICBM and SLBMnuclear weapons each side could have. This would last until 1977.
SALT I agreement
3. The Basic Principles Agreement
Tried to minimise conflict between the two by improving relations
e.g. increasing trade between them
Overall SALT I was seen as a positive step. This
lead to SALT II.
SALT II started in 1974and proposed further controls on weaponry. However ultimately this treaty was rejected by
the US Senate.
The two sides also met together at
Helsinki in Finland in 1975 to discuss various issues.
These became known as the Helsinki
Accords.
Three main agreements (baskets) were reached :
1. Confirmed that Eastern Bloc borders could not be altered by force
2. Improved trade between both sides
3. USSR agreed to improve human rights e.g. free speech
