Détente

Cards (2)

  • What was détente ?
    A period of easing tensions between US and USSR from late 1960s to the early 1970s
  • What were reasons for détente ?
    China soviet split - an opportunity for USA to build a relationship with China
    Nuclear issue - co-operation to limit the spread of technology , both not willing to use nuclear weapons
    Lessons of conflict - nuclear weapons didn’t help conventional wars, neither side wanted war, so talking made sense
    Economic issue - both countries were spending millions of dollars fighting Cold War - continuing arms race would’ve bankrupted the USSR