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Détente back to Cold War

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Détente back to Cold War. 1969-79. 1969-75. This period saw significant improvement in the relationship between the US and the USSR. This improvement was mostly brought about by President Nixon and his National Security Adviser, Henry Kissinger. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Détente back Détente back to Cold War to Cold War 1969-79 1969-79
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Page 1: Détente back to Cold War

Détente backDétente backto Cold Warto Cold War

1969-791969-79

Page 2: Détente back to Cold War

1969-751969-75

This period saw significant improvement in This period saw significant improvement in the relationship between the US and the the relationship between the US and the USSR.USSR.

This improvement was mostly brought This improvement was mostly brought about by President Nixon and his National about by President Nixon and his National Security Adviser, Henry Kissinger.Security Adviser, Henry Kissinger.

America’s willingness to follow a policy of America’s willingness to follow a policy of détente was met with approval by Leonid détente was met with approval by Leonid Brezhnev of the USSRBrezhnev of the USSR

Page 3: Détente back to Cold War

Détente: early progressDétente: early progress

The first sign of this new thaw in The first sign of this new thaw in relations was the beginning of relations was the beginning of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in 1969.(SALT) in 1969.

Then in 1971 Nixon visited China – Then in 1971 Nixon visited China – the world’s most populous nation.the world’s most populous nation.

This was deliberately intended to This was deliberately intended to provoke a response from the USSR. provoke a response from the USSR. Why?Why?

Page 4: Détente back to Cold War

Sino-Soviet SplitSino-Soviet Split

In the early 1960s the world’s two In the early 1960s the world’s two greatest communist countries greatest communist countries quarrelled with each other.quarrelled with each other.

The Chinese resented the refusal of The Chinese resented the refusal of the Russians to help them develop the Russians to help them develop their nuclear weapons technology.their nuclear weapons technology.

The Russians believed that the The Russians believed that the Chinese might provoke war with the Chinese might provoke war with the US and so couldn’t be trusted.US and so couldn’t be trusted.

Page 5: Détente back to Cold War

From détente to Cold WarFrom détente to Cold War Nixon decided to exploit this tension between the Nixon decided to exploit this tension between the

two by playing one off against the other to put two by playing one off against the other to put pressure on the USSR to sign SALT.pressure on the USSR to sign SALT.

His visit to China worried the Soviet Union that His visit to China worried the Soviet Union that China and the US might ‘gang up’ against them.China and the US might ‘gang up’ against them.

The Russians decided to improve relations with The Russians decided to improve relations with the US to stop this happening.the US to stop this happening.

They quickly agreed to sign the 1972 SALT I They quickly agreed to sign the 1972 SALT I Treaty and invited Nixon to Moscow to sign it. Treaty and invited Nixon to Moscow to sign it. SALT I ‘froze’ the number of submarine and land-SALT I ‘froze’ the number of submarine and land-based missiles for 5 years.based missiles for 5 years.

Page 6: Détente back to Cold War

Illustration from ‘The Cold War’ by Lawrence Freedman

Page 7: Détente back to Cold War

Detente1969-75

Why were both superpowersready for détente?

The USSR could not affordits huge military expenditure(20% of GNP)

Nixon knew that détentewas a vote-winner

SALT started 1969

SALT I Treaty 1972

Nixon visited China 1971

Nixon invited toMoscow 1972

An NDM Prod.

Brezhnev visitedUSA 1973

US withdrew fromSouth Vietnam 1973

Helsinki Agreement1975

Page 8: Détente back to Cold War

Further progress to detenteFurther progress to detente The one remaining obstacle to improve The one remaining obstacle to improve

still further relations was the US role in still further relations was the US role in Vietnam. In April 1973, the US withdrew Vietnam. In April 1973, the US withdrew its troops. This soon led to:its troops. This soon led to:

The Helsinki Agreement, 1975:The Helsinki Agreement, 1975: 35 European nations agreed to accept 35 European nations agreed to accept

Europe’s borders as permanent – this Europe’s borders as permanent – this pleased the USSR.pleased the USSR.

they also agreed to guarantee human they also agreed to guarantee human rights (such as the right to protest) in their rights (such as the right to protest) in their own countries- this pleased the US.own countries- this pleased the US.

Page 9: Détente back to Cold War

Why did this period of détenteWhy did this period of détentegive way to the ‘new’ Cold War?give way to the ‘new’ Cold War?

The USSR soon made it obvious that they The USSR soon made it obvious that they had no intention of allowing any human had no intention of allowing any human rights by arresting dissidents (opponents rights by arresting dissidents (opponents of communism in USSR) of communism in USSR)

In 1976 the Cubans (with Soviet backing) In 1976 the Cubans (with Soviet backing) sent 40,000 troops to help communists in sent 40,000 troops to help communists in Angola’s civil war.Angola’s civil war.

The biggest setback was caused by the The biggest setback was caused by the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.1979.

Page 10: Détente back to Cold War

Détente to ‘new’Cold War1969-79

Why were both superpowersready for détente?

The USSR could not affordits huge military expenditure(20% of GNP)

Nixon knew that détentewas a vote-winner

SALT started 1969

SALT I Treaty 1972

Nixon visited China 1971

Nixon invited toMoscow 1972

An NDM Prod.

Brezhnev visitedUSA 1973

US withdrew fromSouth Vietnam 1973

Helsinki Agreement1975

Why did this periodof détente

come to an end?

Soviet arrestsof leadingdissidents

Cuban troopssent to Angola1976

Soviet invasion ofAfghanistan 1979


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