Helsinki Accords

• 1a. August 1975
• 2a. Basket 1: European Borders – borders are inviolable and cannot be altered by force.
• 3a. Basket 2: International Cooperation – work for closer relations between East and West which would include trade agreements; technology exchange and joint space mission.
• 4a. Basket 3: Human Rights – we will respect human rights and individual freedoms such as free speech; religion; free movement across Europe.
• 1b. First time the boundaries between East and West Germany were formally accepted
• 2b. Soviet-American Apollo-Soyuz mission of 1975.
• 3b. USA politicians were critical of the concept of accepting Soviet expansion in Europe.
• 4b. The USSR had little intention of genuinely offering human rights, so this section had little impact.
• What is the date associated with the agreements discussed?

  August 1975
• What are the three baskets of agreements made in August 1975?

  1. European Borders

  • Borders are inviolable and cannot be altered by force.

  1. International Cooperation

  • Closer relations between East and West, including trade agreements, technology exchange, and joint space missions.

  1. Human Rights

  • Respect for human rights and individual freedoms such as free speech, religion, and free movement across Europe.
• What does Basket 1 state about European borders?

  Borders are inviolable and cannot be altered by force
• What is the focus of Basket 2 regarding international relations?

  Closer relations between East and West
• What activities are included in Basket 2 for international cooperation?

  Trade agreements, technology exchange, joint space mission
• What does Basket 3 emphasize regarding human rights?

  Respect for human rights and individual freedoms
• What was a significant consequence of the agreements regarding Germany?

  Boundaries between East and West Germany were accepted
• What was the name of the Soviet-American mission in 1975?

  Apollo-Soyuz mission
• How did USA politicians react to the concept of accepting Soviet expansion in Europe?

  They were critical of the concept
• What was the USSR's intention regarding human rights according to the document?

  They had little intention of genuinely offering human rights
• What was the overall impact of the human rights section in the agreements?

  It had little impact due to USSR's intentions