The Cold War - Easing of Tension

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2.6 EASING OF TENSION - sources of tension, soviet and human rights, Detente and SALT 1, part played by Brezhnev and Nixon

In 1969, Nixon becomes US President.

Detente was the relaxation of tension between the superpowers. There were three reasons why they were determined to improve relations.

1/ to reduce the threat of nuclear war

2/ increase trade

3/ by 1968, the US wanted to pull out of the Vietnam war. Nixon felt that if he could improve relations with the USSR, Brezhnev might be able to negotiate an end to the war. This idea was called linkage.

In 1969, an agreement of the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I) which limited the number of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) and ABMs (anti-ballistic missiles) which can destroy ICBMs. This was very significant as it showed clear recognition that protecting the nuclear balance by ensuring that neither countries consider themselves immune to retaliation (MAD theory) was needed. They were allowed to use spies so that nobody was breaking the agreement. However, this did not reduce the existing nuclear weapons.

In 1972, Nixon flew to Moscow, becoming the first US President to do so. He met with Brezhnev and agreed to eventually end the arms race and develop in economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields. US and Soviet astronauts met in space and exchanged handshakes.

In 1975, 35 countries, including the US and the USSR signed the Helsinki Agreement, marking the

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