DÉTENTE 1969-1979
What is détente?
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During the Fluctuating Relations period, we see a lot of back and forth
between tension and attempts to improve the relationship between the
USSR and the US. Détente was a period that lasted from about 19691979 and represented a new, more consistent effort to reduce tensions and
increase collaboration
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HOWEVER, this is “…an easing, not the end, of the main underlying
Cold War tensions.”
Why did the US pursue détente?
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Vietnam War - major influence towards détente because we have a lot of
people and money tied up there
growing awareness of the dangers of nuclear warfare
USSR catching up in terms of arms/space race
Nixon became president in 1969
n was a hard-line anti-communist in his early days, but is now more
willing to limit containment (Contain Containment!) if it suited US
interests
n believed that we should pull out of Vietnam - can’t maintain economic
and military superiority if we’re stuck over there, and the war was
Détente and the Soviet Union
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Why did the USSR pursue détente?
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Economic stagnation (not growing or changing) caused by
bureaucratic inefficiency and huge amounts spent on defense to
keep up with the US
The economy got even worse during the 1970s as the USSR kept
spending money on defense and increased aid to Developing
World countries.
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Brezhnev seemed to ignore the signs of economic decline, whereas
Kosygin was more concerned. They thought that new technologies
and increased trade would help the situation. This leads them towards
greater openness to the Western world for trade. (Great political cartoon
on page 153)
More afraid or aware of the possibilities of nuclear war - thought
that the risk was higher, even though the USSR had achieved
nuclear parity (making arms reduction talks more feasible)
concern over the Sino-Soviet (Sino = China) split. Split had
widened and there had even been intense border conflicts and
Now there’s a
third ‘superpower?’
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China and the Cold War ‘Triangle’
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wanted to fix relations with China for
economic reasons and also because it would
make it easier for the US to remove troops from
Southeast Asia.
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also working things out with China puts
more pressure on the USSR to make concessions
(“America, don’t be mad at me and become
friends with China!”)
What does détente look like in the
Cold War?
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Nixon and Kissinger try to minimize the role of ideology – less
of an emphasis on capitalism/democracy vs. communism
Nuclear Arms Goal during détente = having ‘sufficient’
weaponry (in numbers and technology ability),
not ‘superiority’
But in some ways, détente was really just a modern
version of containment. The Soviet Union used détente to
consolidate its position in Europe, and the US still wanted to
limit the USSR’s power.
Détente and the new “Linkage” Policy: US policy of
convincing the USSR and China to join in restraining
revolutions in the Developing World in return for nuclear and
economic concessions (didn’t always work)
The Nixon Doctrine (1969): US would give ‘client’ states in
the Developing World weapons to fight for US objectives - no
Summits and SALT I
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SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) I - 1969
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Began talking about arms control, not reduction
Concerns: Soviets worried that new tech developments would upset the balance
(guidance systems, etc.)
Results: talks finished in May, 1972
n Brezhnev and Nixon both signed
n Put a freeze on ICBMs, SLBMs, and long-range bombers; agreed on number of
missile sites, etc.
n However, failed to include limitations on other weapons. This leaves a potential
loophole for both sides to continue to develop weapons stores not specified in
the agreement.
n Basic Principles Agreement: both sides committed to work together to build
peace and prevent conflict
n Change from earlier Cold War hostilities and marked the beginnings of arms
control. American acceptance of a narrower missile gap appeased the USSR and
reduced tension between them.
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1973 - Brezhnev visits US for a second summit meeting
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1974 - Nixon visits Moscow for a third summit meeting - these meetings build the
framework for SALT II
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1973 - Agreement on the Prevention of Nuclear War = promise to contact each other if
Hey, We Haven’t Talked About
Germany for a While.
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USSR wanted stability in Europe (after Czechoslovakia, 1968),
which is what Western Europe wanted too.
USSR wanted to nail down border issues and acceptance of
the post-WWII landscape, which had not happened due to the
emerging Cold War.
Oct, 1969 – Willy Brandt won the West German election (first
non-conservative win since 1945). Brandt ended hard-line anticommunist policies.
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Ostpolitik (Brandt’s “Eastern Policy”) was about reducing
barriers between East and West Germany, and promoting
contact and trade between Eastern and Western Europe as
well.
1970 - USSR and West Germany sign Moscow Treaty officially
ending WWII. The treaty also confirmed the split of Germany and
the loss of pre-war German territorial claims to Poland and the
USSR.
Aug, 1972 - Final Quadripartite Protocol: USSR accepts West
Helsinki Conference and Accords
1973-1975
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Final Act signed in 1975 and contained ‘baskets’
or groups of agreements that tackled issues such
as: the status quo in Europe (recognizing current
European borders), closer ties and collaboration
on economics/science/culture/etc., and finally
human rights.
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The human rights issue contributed to the end of the
West’s interest in détente because the USSR would
not make policy changes (regarding human rights
issues), and the other agreements at the conference
were all linked to human rights.
1974 - Brandt resigned and Helmut Schmidt took
over and restored closer links to the US.
Beginning of the End…of
Détente
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Problem: USSR desired stability, but also wanted to extend its influence in the
Developing World. USSR especially wanted allies with naval bases.
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Nixon and Watergate – the Watergate scandal destroyed Nixon’s credibility with the
American public and the international community. He ultimately resigned and was
unable to continue with his foreign policy strategy.
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Congress got more involved in foreign policy because of Watergate – Congress and the
American people were upset by the scandal and the secrecy of Nixon’s administration.
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Congress stated that further agreements with the USSR could only be reached if the
Soviets made concessions on human rights in Eastern Europe.
Ford (Nixon’s successor) was hemmed in by these restrictions as well, so he avoided
phrasing things in terms of détente – which is beginning to be unpopular and appear
weak.
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Brezhnev’s health began to deteriorate in 1974. Both Nixon’s resignation and Brezhnev’s
condition allowed other politicians opposed to detente to get involved and increase
hostilities in both countries.
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USA wants to maintain its global power base, but the USSR doesn’t like feeling inferior.
The USSR takes advantage of revolutions in Developing World countries to improve its
international position.
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US economic reasons for end of detente:
Cost of Vietnam + Increased Competition from Japan and West Germany = huge Trade Deficit