Detente and its failure

• What was America's focus during the 1960s?

  The Vietnam War
• What does the term 'détente' refer to?

  A relaxation of tensions between the USSR and USA
• Who popularised the idea of Ostpolitik in West Germany?

  Willy Brandt
• What was the goal of Ostpolitik?

  To reduce tensions with the USSR
• What significant action did Charles de Gaulle take in 1966?

  He left NATO
• What prompted renewed talks between the USA and USSR?

  The cost of maintaining nuclear arsenals
• Who was the US president during the SALT treaty negotiations?

  Richard Nixon
• What was the purpose of the SALT treaty?

  To limit nuclear weapons between the USA and USSR
• What did SALT leave out?

  Many categories of weapons
• What was Nixon's strategy towards China?

  To divide communist powers and end the Vietnam War
• What event is referred to as 'Ping Pong Diplomacy'?

  Interactions of US and Chinese table tennis teams
• What significant visit did Nixon make in 1972?

  He visited communist China
• What was a significant outcome of Nixon's visit to China?

  China was granted a seat in the UN Security Council
• Why were improved US-Chinese relations important?

  They helped speed up the end of the Vietnam War
• What were the key successes of détente?

  • SALT treaty agreements
  • Helsinki Accords
  • Improved US-China relations
• Who succeeded Nixon as president?

  Gerald Ford
• What did the Helsinki Accords emphasize?

  Human rights and peaceful border transformations
• What was a significant aspect of the Helsinki Accords?

  Involvement of 35 countries
• What was Carter's foreign policy agenda focused on?

  Principle and human rights
• What was the limit proposed in SALT II for nuclear delivery vehicles?

  2,400, falling to 2,250 by 1982
• What new factor complicated SALT II negotiations?

  The deployment of Soviet medium-range missiles in Europe
• How did the USSR achieve nuclear parity by 1975?

  By having more nuclear delivery vehicles than the USA
• What was the significance of the Iranian Revolution in 1979?

  It removed a key US ally from power
• What happened during the US embassy crisis in Iran?

  63 American hostages were seized
• What was President Carter's response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

  He ordered the withdrawal of SALT II from the Senate
• What was a consequence of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

  A boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games
• How did Ronald Reagan view the USSR?

  As an aggressive, expansionist power
• What was the outcome of the 1980 presidential election?

  Reagan won by a landslide