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What was Détente?

The Cold War

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

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What we will learn today

What we will learn today:

1. Learn what ‘détente’ was and how it worked

2. Examine the reasons why it suited both sides

3. Discover the main events of détente

4. Analyse the relative success or failure of détente.

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Key terminology of détente

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Why were both Superpowers keen on détente?

Détente means a ‘lessening of tensions’. There are a number of reasons why both superpowers were keen on détente…

Money

Nuclear war

Proliferation

Public opposition

How do you think each of these aspects were important?

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How do you think each of these aspects were important to

Détente?

Money Nuclear War

Proliferation(Other countries becoming

nuclear power)

Public opposition

Détente= A ‘lessening of tensions’

In small groups, discuss and fill in how each of

these aspects was important to Detente

In small groups, discuss and fill in how each of

these aspects was important to Detente

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How do you think each of these aspects were important to

detente?

Money Nuclear War

Proliferation(Other countries becoming

nuclear powers) Public opposition

The Arms Race was incredibly expensive. Both countries, but especially the USSR, were keen to reduce spending.

The Cuban Missile Crisis had frightened both superpowers. They realised how close the world had come to nuclear war.

Improved relations would reduce the chance of nuclear conflict – and destruction of the world.

The superpowers were concerned about nuclear proliferation – weapons and technologies spreading to other countries.

This would increase the chance of nuclear conflict.

As more and more people became aware of the terrible impact nuclear war would have, public opposition grew against nuclear weapons.

Détente could lead to a commitment to reduce weapons.

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The USA was keen to withdraw from Vietnam, and détente would allow for a change in relations. It would be a chance to negotiate a withdrawal.

China and the USSR fell out in 1960. The USA were keen for détente to keep the USSR and China apart. The USSR was concerned about the USA and China combining against them!

Détente meant friendly relations between the USSR and USA.

China

Vietnam

Two other aspectsTwo other aspects

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The missile race

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

USA

USSR

Num

ber

of m

issi

les

Think when the Cuban Missile Crisis was. What does this graph suggest about the impact of the crisis?

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The reality of détente

Détente occurred because it was in the interests of both superpowers. It is possible to debate how great an impact it really had. Between 1968 and 1979, however, there were a series of events and agreements that did improve relations.

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SALT I and SALT II

• SALT = Strategic Arms Limitation Talks• In pairs, you will be given either information about

SALT I and SALT II• You must read through the information, highlighting

the key points and filling them in on your table.• Once you have completed this, you must take it in

turns to teach and explain to the other about what you have found out

• Then you will fill out the table of the section you have been taught about

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SALT I treaty

SALT = Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, signed in 1972.

Why was reduction of arms sought?

Nixon hoped that arms limitation talks would persuade the Soviets to stop supporting North Vietnam.

In 1971 Brezhnev announced a ‘Programme for Peace’ to improve relations between the Superpowers.

Nixon tried to improve US–Chinese relations. In 1972, the US government finally agreed to let China join the UN. This worried the Soviets, who thought the two countries might gang up on the USSR, so Brezhnev invited Nixon to Moscow to sign SALT I.

SALT I only covered some types of nuclear weapons – the Arms Race could easily continue.

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Weapons increases after SALT I

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

USSR Warheads

US Warheads

USSR Missiles

US Missiles

Number of missiles

What does this graph tell you about the success of SALT I? Explain your answer.

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SALT II treaty

From 1977, talks for a new SALT agreement took place.

The aim was to limit every type of rocket and warhead.

It was meant to stay in force until 1985, and limited each superpower to 2,400 strategic nuclear weapon systems.

The treaty was drawn up in 1979, but the USSR then invaded Afghanistan, so the USA refused to ratify the treaty.

Although it was never ratified, both sides pledged to follow its guidelines. However, it did not mention tactical (short-range) weapons or designate how many strategic warheads each side could deploy.

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International cooperation

Détente saw increased cooperation on an international level:

International Geophysical Year, 1957–58

The Antarctic Treaty, 1959

The Outer Space Treaty, December 1966

Space Cooperation

Scientists from 67 nations cooperated on projects to discover more about the world.

Antarctica could only be used for peaceful purposes, and that national claims should not interfere with scientific research.

Moon and all planets only to be used for peaceful purposes, and no country could lay claim to the Moon or any other celestial body. No weapons of mass destruction in space.

Superpower ‘meeting’ in space in 1975, Soviet space station construction included US modules – launch of Mir (meaning ‘peace’) in 1986.

Cooperation

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The problems with détente

With discussions about disarmament and increased cooperation, it is important to understand that détente stood for ‘improved relations’, not an end to the Cold War.

Despite the SALT I treaty (1972), the Arms Race continued. Both sides continued to develop weapons ‘around’ the agreement.

There was no end to war – in 1973 a Middle East war saw the USA supplying Israel and the USSR supplying Egypt and Syria

Many agreements were not enforced – SALT treaty agreements were not checked and the human rights protection agreed at Helsinki was ignored by many (including the USSR).

What do you think the real impact of détente was?

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What do you think the real impact of détente was?

•Did it help end the cold war?•Was it just on continuation of the

same rivalry?

Explain your answer

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Successes and failures

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How do you think each of these aspects were important to

Détente?

Money Nuclear War

Proliferation(Other countries becoming

nuclear power)

Public opposition

Détente= A ‘lessening of tensions’

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The Cuban Missile Crisis had frightened both superpowers. They realised how close the world had come to nuclear war.

Improved relations would reduce the chance of nuclear conflict – and destruction of the world.

The Arms Race was incredibly expensive. Both countries, but especially the USSR, were keen to reduce spending.

Money Proliferation China

Nuclear war Public opposition Vietnam

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As more and more people became aware of the terrible impact nuclear war would have, public opposition grew against nuclear weapons.

Détente could lead to a commitment to reduce weapons.

The superpowers were concerned about nuclear proliferation – weapons and technologies spreading to other countries.

This would increase the chance of nuclear conflict.

Money Proliferation China

Nuclear war Public opposition

Vietnam

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SALT I SALT II