What were the key features of détente?

Learning objective – to be able to explain the key features and the impact of the era of détente between 1963 and 1979. I can describe the key features détente on the Cold War. Grade D I can explain the impact of détente on the Cold War. Grade B I can evaluate the impact of détente on the Cold War. Grade A

Starter – What do you think détente means?

What is détente? Détente is a French word which literally means a relaxing of tensions. The word is used to describe a relaxing of tensions between the superpowers which lasted from 1964 to 1979. The Soviets called this period razryaka.

What were the key features of détente? Reduction in the production of nuclear weapons. Major formal visits and summits. Improved trade links between East and West. Improved cultural links between East and West. Co-operation in space exploration.

Richard Nixon [1913-94] Was Vice-President to Eisenhower between 1953-61 and defeated by Kennedy in the 1960 election. Was Republican President of USA from 1968-74. His presidency focused on foreign affairs and worked hard to reduce tension in the Cold War. Resigned as President in 1974 in the Watergate Affair.

Leonid Brezhnev [1906-82] Was leader of USSR between 1964-82. In 1968, he outlined the Brezhnev Doctrine which defined a communist country as a one-party system and a member of the Warsaw Pact.

What were the stages of détente? 1964-69 – East-West relations generally improved in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis and détente was discussed. 1968 – The USSR invasion of Czechoslovakia threatened improving relations. 1969-72 – The high point of détente under the US President Richard Nixon. SALT Treaty slowed down the arms race and general East-West links were being cultivated. 1973-79 – Détente increasingly threatened by the issue of human rights, especially during the Helsinki Conference in 1975. 1979 – Détente ended with the USSR invasion of Afghanistan.

Why did both sides want détente? The USA USA was concerned with the spiralling costs of containing communism. The arms race and the Vietnam War were costing USA billions and the value of the US dollar was declining with inflation. USA feared MAD [Mutually Assured Destruction] as both sides had enough weapons to destroy the world. Nixon thought that easing world tension would make him popular for re-election in 1972. The USSR The USSR could not keep paying for its Cold War commitments. Living standards were declining and Brezhnev saw that trade with the West could increase wealth in the USSR. Growing tension with China since 1969, meant that USSR could not afford to be the enemy of China and USA at the same time.

How did Richard Nixon encourage détente? Why? Richard Nixon wanted to be seen as a world statesman. Nixon feared MAD and found defence spending too high in times of depression. What? Nixon conducted a series of official visits to China and USSR to improve relations. In 1972, Nixon made a state visit to China, where the USA now formally diplomatically recognised Communist China. In 1972, Nixon was the first US President to visit USSR. In 1973, Brezhnev visited USA at Nixon’s invitation. Significant? These visits were seen as a success and gave the impression that closer relations and co-operation were possible in the early 1970s.

How did détente impact upon the space race? Why? The space race had become a significant form of propaganda for USA and USSR during the 1950s. However, the Cuban Missile Crisis shocked both sides into finding a more co-operative way of working with each other. Also, the space race was very expensive and particularly the USSR, both sides found it difficult to maintain spending on space programmes. What? The first agreement relating to the space race was linked with the arms race – The 1967 Outer Space Treaty stopped the arms race reaching space pledging no nuclear weapons would be placed in space by either superpower. Significant? This was the first significant agreement that impacted upon the space race and hinted at future co-operation.

How did détente impact upon the space race? Why? The space race continued to be very expensive and particularly the USSR, both sides found it difficult to maintain spending on space programmes. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty was successful and both sides, in the growing spirit of détente, wanted to find other ways of co-operation. What? In 1975, a joint space mission was launched which involved an American Apollo spacecraft and a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docking at a Soviet space station. This was called the Apollo-Soyuz mission. Significant? This was the first significant joint space mission and marked the beginning of a period of superpower co-operation in space.

The Helsinki Agreements - 1975 Why? An international conference, held at Helsinki, was convened in which most of the European nations plus USA, USSR and Canada met to sign an agreement over security, co-operation and human rights. What? Security agreements included the recognition of all European borders and the settling of disputes by peaceful means. Co-operation though trade and industrial agreements and scientific projects. Human rights – all signatories signed an accordance to respect freedom of speech, movement, religion and information. Significant? The Helsinki Agreements was important in establishing a Declaration of Human Rights but sowed the seeds for the end of détente.

How did the Helsinki Agreements help end détente? Why? Although the Helsinki Agreements were signed by all nations who attended, the USSR never intended to keep to this agreement. What? In 1977, a group in Eastern Europe called Charter 77 was formed to check on human rights in communist Europe. USSR imprisoned a number of its organisers. This action broke the Helsinki Agreement. Significant? This was an important stepping stone to the end of détente in 1979 and increased tensions between USSR and the USA.

Task – use a copy of the comic strip and annotate it to explain the key features of détente.

Task Rearrange the six Cold War developments below into a pyramid of significance, with the most significant at the top. Then write a sentence on each to say how they contributed to the development of détente during the Cold War. The Outer Space Treaty - 1967 Nixon’s visit to China - 1972 Nixon’s visit to USSR - 1972 Apollo-Soyuz Mission - 1975 Helsinki Agreements – 1975 Charter 77 - 1977

Plenary This collection of images of events surrounding détente. Can you identify how each image represents a feature of détente?