Salt 1 and detente in the 1970s

• What period did the policy of détente occur between the US and USSR?

  Late 1960s to 1979
• Why was there a strong fear of nuclear war in the 1960s?

  Both sides had enough nuclear weapons to destroy the whole world
• What concept made a nuclear war seem impossible during the Cold War?

  Mutually Assured Destruction
• What does the term "détente" mean in the context of US-USSR relations?

  It means "lessening of tension" and refers to peaceful coexistence
• What event in 1979 marked the end of détente?

  The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
• What were early signs that détente might be possible?

  The Hotline and the Test Ban Treaty in 1963
• What was the first proper sign of détente beginning?

  The Outer Space Treaty in 1967
• What was the purpose of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signed in 1968?

  To prevent superpowers from supplying equipment to states building nuclear weapons
• Why did the USA need détente in the 1970s?

  Because of the costly Vietnam War and social problems at home
• What economic issues did the USSR face that made détente appealing?

  The USSR wanted to save money due to expensive arms race
• Which European country was trying to build better relations with the USSR during détente?

  West Germany
• What was the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) of 1972 aimed at?

  To slow down the Arms Race
• What did SALT 1 prohibit regarding short-range missiles?

  No further building of short-range missiles
• What was a key component of SALT regarding submarines?

  No more building of submarines with nuclear missiles until land-based ICBMs were reduced
• What was the significance of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM treaty) within SALT 1?

  It limited the development of ABM systems to protect only two sites in each country
• What was a major weakness of SALT 1?

  It was a short-term agreement that expired in 5 years
• What did SALT 1 limit regarding missiles?

  It limited the number of missiles, not the number of warheads
• What were MIRVs in the context of SALT 1?

  MIRVs are missiles that carry multiple nuclear bombs
• What was discussed at the Helsinki Conference in 1975?

  Security agreements, cooperation, and human rights
• What were the key agreements reached at the Helsinki Conference?

  • Security agreements for peaceful dispute resolution
  • Acceptance of borders between East & West Germany
  • Military exercise observation agreements
  • Economic, industrial, scientific, and educational cooperation
  • Human rights commitments
• How did the USA and USSR agree to handle military exercises after the Helsinki Conference?

  They agreed to invite observers from the other superpower to watch military exercises
• What was the significance of the Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975?

  It symbolized détente with American and Soviet spacecraft linking up in orbit
• When did negotiations for SALT 2 begin?

  Negotiations for SALT 2 continued until 1979
• What happened after SALT 1 expired in 1977?

  Both superpowers began to increase their number of nuclear missiles again
• Why did the USA feel humiliated during the SALT 2 negotiations?

  Due to the Iranian Revolution and hostages taken by militants
• What was the outcome of the SALT 2 treaty negotiations?

  The US Senate refused to accept the SALT 2 treaty after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan