The Achievements and Consequences of the Detente

By Ella and Theresa

Definition

French meaning to slacken, relax or reduce pressure.

Détente, within the context of the Cold War, refers to the period of time (1969-1979) during which tensions between the US and USSR subsided.

The two superpowers sought to cooperate and avoid nuclear war through diplomatic discussion.

US-China Relations• The US had enabled the international exclusion of China from 1949 as it

preferred to recognise the exiled nationalist regime based in Taiwan OVER the communist government.

This preference China’s exclusion from the UN US Vs. Chinese forces in Korea The US became involved in Vietnam fearing the “red tide”

• 1971 – CHANGE1. US table-tennis team successfully competes in China public image improves2. Nixon’s National Security Adviser Kissinger made secret trips to China

• 1972 – President NIXON visits China China informally allied with the US – Nixon: both countries share the same

concerns re. Soviet influence

RESULT = China joins UN taking up a seat on the Security Council

SALT 1 Treaty• a.k.a. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks 1 Treaty In reality the treaty was a series of agreements signed in 1972

• The majority of prior attempts to reach a consensus on nuclear weapons had failed - PROBLEM = how and what should be limited

• SALT 1 = the result of diplomatic communication between the US and USSR following Nixon’s visit to China

The USSR feared an agreement between the US and China – its primary rivals

• A compromise was reached in three areas:1. Anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems2. Offensive nuclear weapons3. A code of conduct

1. The ABM Treaty• Destabilised the impact of defensive systems• BEFORE – ABM systems made the possibility of retaliating following a

nuclear attack uncertain Encouraged offensive behaviour

• AFTER – The US and USSR were limited to two sites with ABM systems Both powers could therefore retaliate in the event of an attack

• The treaty acted as a DETERRENT – It was no longer certain that, if nuclear war broke out, one power could

categorically win

2. The Interim Treaty• An agreement that expired in 1977

• Placed a limit on the number of ICBMs and SLBMs – offensive weapons E.g. the US and USSR were restricted to 1054 and 1618 ICBMs respectively

• The Soviets had a greater number of offensive missile as America was technologically advanced

E.g. US strategic bombers were far superior • The agreement omitted new weaponry – the MIRVs

• NOTE: Both sides still retained an arsenal of weapons large enough to destroy each other several times over

3. The Basic Principles Agreement• Put into writing the basic principles relating to the conduct of nuclear war

• Extended the guidelines of prior pacts (the Seabed Pact 1971) to minimise the possibility of a military conflict

• The US and USSR pledged to “do their utmost to avoid military confrontations” and “exercise restraint” in international relations

• Encourage trade Limited to the US supplying grain to the USSR – offsetting the domestic

market shortcomings

• This agreement marked a shift from an atmosphere of confrontation

Other Achievements• 1968: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – forbade the sharing of nuclear

weapons and knowledge with other powers

• 1972: Biological Warfare Treaty – banned the development of biological weapons

• June 1973: “Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War” – the US and USSR would enter negotiations in nuclear war was deemed a possibility

• 1975: US-Soviet, Apollo –Soyuz space mission

• SALT 2: Limits were placed on the number of delivery systems (2400), missile size, the number of warheads

It was never ratified by the US Senate as détente had begun to collapse

The Helsinki Agreement• From July - August 1975 35 nations, including the US and USSR, participated in a

conference to formally recognise the European borders established in the aftermath of WWII

• The subsequent agreement involved three ‘baskets’:1. The recognition of the inviolability of European borders Signatories to the agreement recognised officially the existence of the Soviet

bloc

2. Economic, cultural and scientific cooperation between east and west Guaranteed assistance would be provided to the USSR

3. The promotion of human rights and freedoms It was hoped in the West that the implementation of this clause would

undermine the Soviet regime In reality the government simply ignored improving human rights within the

USSR

European Détente• The Chancellor of West Germany Brandt sought, through his policy of

‘Ostpolitik’, to improve relations between: The East and West East and West Germany

‘Ostpolitik’ In Action:• 1970 – West Germany and Poland signed “A Non-Aggression Treaty” with

West Germany formally accepting the Oder-Neisse Line

• 1967-1972 – West Germany signed a number of agreements diplomatically recognising Eastern European states e.g. Romania in 1967

• December 1972 – East and West Germany signed the “Basic Treaty” improved relations with West Germany accepting the East as a separate state and agreeing to increase trade.

Historiography• LaFeber The idealistic goals of the détente were ignored by the US when it appeared

that the Soviets had established themselves in the Middle East. Foreign policy quickly regressed favouring a Truman Doctrine style of containment.

• Steele“ … Taught that their country was the world’s most powerful nation … they

found it hard to accept … their major … enemy had become their military equal and seemed immune to the liberalising tendencies … (of ) détente”

• Newsweek Magazine (PRIMARY SOURCE re. US discontentment)America’s military position was weakened Soviet expansion“Ethiopia, Afghanistan and South Yemen are now in the Soviet camp. Iran is

threatened … This is expansion by proxy based on Soviet strength.”

Détente came to an end with the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAhDQxPHvP0