1. Aim: Trace the Origins of Détente and its Effects on the Cold War

2. Brinkmanship Breaks Down
1970’s: US & the Soviet Union backed away from the policies of brinkmanship
Superpowers slowly moved to lower tensions
Brinkmanship policy followed during the presidencies of Eisenhower, Kennedy, & Johnson
Led to one crisis after another
Crisis united by common fear of nuclear war
During administration of JFK, Cuban Missile Crisis made use of nuclear weapons a real possibility
After assassination of Kennedy in 63, Pres. Johnson committed to stopping spread of Communism
Escalated US involvement in war in Vietnam 2

3. The United States Turns to Detente
The US backed away from its policy of direct confrontation with the Soviet Union
Détente, a policy of lessening Cold War tensions, replaced brinkmanship under Pres. Nixon
Nixon’s move toward détente grew out of philosophy known as realpolitik
Mean’s “realistic politics”
Meant dealing with other nations in a practical & flexible manner
The two superpowers agreed to pursue détente & to reduce tensions 3

4. Nixon Visits Communist Powers
Nixon’s new policy represented a reversal & political shift for the country
Nixon became the first US president to visit Communist China
Feb 1972: Nixon visited the Soviet Union
Held a series of meetings called the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
Nixon & Brezhnev signed the SALT I TREATY
5 year agreement limited to 1972 levels the number of intercontinental ballistic & submarine-launched missiles each country could have 4