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