5.1.2
Detente up to 1979
SALT I and SALT II
SALT I and SALT II
SALT I talks began in 1969 and two treaties were signed by President Nixon and Brezhnev in 1972. The summits that followed SALT II talks focused on creating a lasting, wider-reaching agreement between the superpowers.
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty 1972
- The first treaty was the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty which was signed in May 1972.
- This limited the number of ABMs (Anti-Ballistic Missiles) the USSR and USA could have to no more than 100 missiles.
- This agreement reduced the number of Anti-Ballistic Missiles and slowed down the race to develop strategic offensive nuclear weapons.
- This reduced the possibility of nuclear war.
Interim Agreement on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms
Interim Agreement on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms
- The second treaty was the Interim Agreement on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms which was signed in May 1972.
- This limited the numbers of missiles for 5 years.
- It did not, however, limit the newly developed technology such as cruise missiles or MIRVs.
The Moscow Summit
The Moscow Summit
- Nixon visited Beijing in May 1972 and then Moscow at the Moscow Summit.
- The Moscow summit established the ‘basic principles of relations’ between the USSR and USA regarding the principles of disarmament and the avoidance of nuclear war.
- In November 1974, at the Vladivostok Summit, the USSR agreed to a 10 year programme to reach equal levels of ICBM and SLBM launchers.
- This was agreed between the USA and USSR and was seen as the first step towards SALT II.
SALT II
SALT II
- Jimmy Carter took over as President from January 1977 and this moved talks forward after lots of disagreements.
- Carter proposed a reduction in strategic systems, MIRV missile launchers, ICBMs, and launchers for ICBMs with MIRVs.
- In addition, the USA suggested that only heavy bombers should have air-launched cruise missiles with a range of 600-2500 kilometres.
Brezhnev's reaction to SALT II proposals
Brezhnev's reaction to SALT II proposals
- Brezhnev rejected Carter's proposals as they required the USSR to reduce their weapons on a greater scale compared to the USA.
The Vienna Summit June 1979
The Vienna Summit June 1979
- Although there were tensions between the USA and the USSR, both sides were interested in reaching an agreement.
- SALT II was finalised in June 1979 in Vienna. The terms were:
- ICBM and SLBM launchers and heavy bombers were not to exceed 2,400.
- There was to be an overall reduction of strategic offensive arms to 2,250 by January 1981
- There was to be an overall limit to MIRVs, ASBMs, ICBM and SLBMs.
Historical interpretation and primary evidence
Historical interpretation and primary evidence
- David Evans and Jane Jenkins in Years of Russia and the USSR 1851-1991 (2001) argue that ‘the improvement in American-Soviet relations was so marked that some spoke of a new era of détente. There were also those that thought the years of the Cold War were over’.
- ‘President Nixon’s and Dr. Kissinger’s enthusiasm for détente seems to be undiminished, and the Soviet leaders appear equally eager to mend their fences with the US. The Chinese danger, real or imaginary, continues to dominate the Russian’s policy and strategic thinking.' The New York Times, ‘Détente- what’s left of it’, 16th December 1973.
Primary evidence
Primary evidence
- A speech made by Genscher, West German Minister of Foreign Affairs, 11th June 1974: ‘It is not just the principle of peaceful relations that is important to us all, but cooperation in public, economic agreement, and improved measures for human contact. That is why the meetings of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe are being supported by a large measure of public opinion. We hope that the public desire for conciliation and progress will be shared by all countries and leaders, and that future talks will achieve the material results that are desired and will set the stage for final agreements.’
Ostpolitik & Helsinki Accords
Ostpolitik & Helsinki Accords
West Germany had a new Chancellor in 1969-Willy Brandt. He developed a new approach to dealing with the East which was known as Ostpolitik (Eastern Policy).
Ostpolitik
Ostpolitik
- Ostpolitik encouraged greater cooperation and communication through the Iron Curtain.
- It recognised East Germany and of East-West borders and a period of détente between German countries began.
- Ostpolitik led to warmer relations between many Eastern and Western countries.
The Treaty of Moscow
The Treaty of Moscow
- In August 1970, the USSR and West Germany signed the Treaty of Moscow.
- This was a non-aggression pact that rejected the use of force and acknowledged the post-WW2 borders.
- Then in November 1970, West Germany and Poland signed a treaty recognising the Oder-Neisse border.
The Basic Treaty
The Basic Treaty
- In December 1972, the Basic Treaty was signed.
- This formally recognised East and West Germany and promised that there would be peaceful resolutions to any conflict between them.
- By the end of September 1973, both East and West Germany had been allowed into the United Nations.
The Helsinki Accords August 1975
The Helsinki Accords August 1975
- The Helsinki Accords consisted of three ‘baskets’ of agreements:
- Security in Europe. Including the recognition of the sovereignty of countries, respect, equal rights, self-determination and peaceful settlement to issues.
- Co-operation on economics, science and technology and the environment, including trade and industry.
- Cooperation on humanitarian and other fields. Both sides would recognise the current borders of European countries, human rights and freedoms in their respective countries and help each other economically and technologically.
The reach of the Helsinki Accords
The reach of the Helsinki Accords
- This was the most wide-reaching détente agreement to date.
- It was signed by 35 states including the USA, USSR and all of Europe apart from Albania.
Primary evidence
Primary evidence
- A speech made by Genscher, West German Minister of Foreign Affairs, 11th June 1974:
'It is not just the principle of peaceful relations that is important to us all, but cooperation in public, economic agreement, and improved measures for human contact. That is why the meetings of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe are being supported by a large measure of public opinion. We hope that the public desire for conciliation and progress will be shared by all countries and leaders, and that future talks will achieve the material results that are desired and will set the stage for final agreements.’
Historical interpretation
Historical interpretation
- The historian Kenney (2002) argues that the Helsinki accords were important in creating dissent in Eastern Europe in 1989.
- The Helsinki Accords gave intellectuals and humanist critics of communism a platform. They argued for respect for basic human rights.
- These ideas became part of the national consciousness as reports on the Helsinki baskets were printed in newspapers around the world.
Arms Race and Relations with China
Arms Race and Relations with China
There were concerns over Ostpolitik. The USSR wanted to extend Ostpolitik over the whole of Eastern Europe yet the USA thought that Ostpolitik threatened their position within Europe.
Concerns about Helsinki
Concerns about Helsinki
- Accepting the Helsinki Final Act meant accepting a divided Germany and an Eastern Europe that was under the control of Moscow.
- There was also concern over the freedom of movement from the Helsinki Accords.
- The USSR applied heavy taxes on those wishing to emigrate.
- This was because they feared a loss of workers which would damage their economy.
Jackson-Vanick amendment
Jackson-Vanick amendment
- The USA passed the Jackson-Vanick amendment which denied credit tax to any ‘non-market’ economy that imposed an exit tax or restricted the right to emigrate.
- As a result of the Jackson-Vanick amendment, the USSR withdrew from talks with the USA.
- In this period, despite improved relations, both countries still misunderstood and distrusted each other.
The continuing arms race
The continuing arms race
- Despite the promises of détente the USA and the USSR continued to build up their arms.
- Even during the SALT II meetings, Kissinger stated that if no agreement was made, the USA would expand its nuclear programme.
- By 1978, no agreement had been made and the USSR continued to increase its stockpile of missiles.
- In December 1979, Carter convinced 3 NATO countries to increase military expenditure. The USSR retaliated by deploying its own missile system throughout the satellite states.
Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping
- After Mao died in September 1976, there was a brief power struggle and then Deng Xiaoping took over as leader of China.
- Deng emphasised economic development over revolutionary struggle, believing that good relations with the USA would help China to improve economically.
Relations between USA and China
Relations between USA and China
- President Carter also favoured better relationships with China as it would be leverage against the USSR.
- In December 1978, it was announced that the USA would formally recognise the People’s Republic of China and terminate the defence treaty between the USA and Taiwan.
- Following this, Deng made several visits to America, strengthening diplomatic ties.
- Deng paid particular attention to the USA economy and the development of factories, showing his interest in furthering the Chinese economy.
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
Jump to other topics
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
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