17.5 The Cold War Thaws The Cold War begins to thaw as the superpowers enter an era of uneasy diplomacy. Photo: pulling down a Statue of Stalin, Hungary, 1956 NEXT

Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and China Destalinization and Rumblings of Protest Nikita Khrushchev—leader after Stalin’s death (1953) Destalinization—purges country of Stalin’s memory “peaceful competition” between USSR and West Citizens of Soviet-controlled governments protest 1956: Hungarian Uprising under Imre Nagy Soviet military quash protest The Revolt in Czechoslovakia 1964: Leonid Brezhnev in power Repression, censorship 1968: Prague Spring Reform and human rights Warsaw Pact troops invade and block reforms Upper left: Khrushchev Bottom left: Brezhnev NEXT

From Brinkmanship to Détente The Soviet-Chinese Split 1950: Mao and Stalin sign friendship treaty Tension: each want to lead world communism Khrushchev ends economic aid, refuses nuclear secrets fight small skirmishes at border From Brinkmanship to Détente Brinkmanship = repeated crises; nuclear war a constant threat John F. Kennedy—president during Cuban Missile crisis Lyndon Johnson—president, increases U.S. involvement in Vietnam Upper right: Mao Bottom left: Kennedy Bottom center: Johnson NEXT

Nixon Visits Communist Powers U. S. Turns to Détente Pres. Richard M. Nixon adopts policy of détente reduce Cold War tensions to avoid conflict Realpolitik “realistic politics” practical, flexible Nixon Visits Communist Powers Nixon visits Communist China and USSR SALT—Strategic Arms Limitation Talks signs SALT I Treaty to limit nuclear weapons Bottom left: Nixon and Mao, 1972 Right: Nixon and wife on Great Wall, 1972 NEXT

The Collapse of Détente Policy Changes: Nixon, Ford improve relations with USSR & China Pres. Jimmy Carter concerned with Soviet policies; signs SALT II Congress refused when USSR invades Afghanistan 1981: Pres. Reagan Takes Anti-Communist Stance Increases military spending missile defense program: Star Wars Left: Ford and Brezhnev, 1974 Upper right: Carter and Brezhnev at SALT, c1975? Bottom right: Reagan NEXT