Détente
Détente overview:
- Détente was the general easing of geopolitical tensions between the
USA and USSR from 1969-79.
- It was the foreign policy of Nixon, Ford, and partially Carter, but was
brought to an end after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
- It also led to the political reaction of hardline Cold Warriors in the
USA, leading to Reagan’s presidency, who had always opposed
détente
- Key features included regular summits between superpowers,
nuclear arms reduction talks, less hostile rhetoric, the emergence of
communist China as a third superpower
- This marked the beginning of a tripolar world order, with some even
suggesting a multi-polar world order with Japan and West Germany
emerging as economic competitors to the USA
- Other key features included the USSR reaching nuclear and naval
parity with the USA, an easing relations in Europe, greater
cooperation between East and West on trade and technology
- Détente was never viewed by any powers as the end of the Cold
War, but rather it was a recognition that there was more to gain
from cooperation than confrontation
Early détente:
- Nuclear situation 1962: By 1962, the US held a 7:1 advantage in
nuclear weapons over the Soviet Union. They were way ahead in
ICBMs, warheads, SLBMs, and long-range bombers. This put the
Soviets under pressure and they sought parity
- Cuba significance: Cuba brought the world to the brink of what
would’ve been a catastrophic nuclear war, which was incredibly
worrying for everyone involved and particularly the Soviet and US
politicians involved. It placed nuclear disarmament and détente on
the table as a legitimate issue to be discussed as both sides became
convinced of the necessity of reducing tensions as to avoid another
crisis. Khrushchev’s attitude following Cuba is one of wanting a
relationship with the US based on mutual restraint and wanted to
limit nuclear weapons – these ideas persisted after his overthrow
Kennedy’s stature improves as a result of his handling of the crisis
as he is seen as strong and able to stand up to communism;
Khrushchev’s fares less well, and it is part of the reason for his
overthrow by Brezhnev in October 1964
Cuba discredited brinkmanship as a strategy and led to an
easing of tensions; it paved the way for détente
- Hotline August 1963: Hotline established between the White House
and the Kremlin in August 1963, following the agreement to set one
, up in June. It ensured that the powers could reach other 24/7 and
crises could be averted. Came as a direct consequence of the Cuban
Missile Crisis and highlighted an attempt to better communication
and ease tensions. Symbol of cooperation.
- Moscow Test ban treaty August 1963: Significant treaty as it
officially put nuclear non-proliferation on the table and it banned
testing new weapons. It recognised the concerns of millions of
people who wanted to limit the acquisition of more nuclear weapon.
It confirmed Britain, USA, and USSR’s commitment to an easing of
nuclear tensions. However, it was largely ineffective at controlling
the arms race as it did not cover underground tests (as they weren’t
distinguishable from earthquakes), which meant testing could still
take place. Also, France and China refused to sign up to the
agreement in their quests to become superpowers in their own
right, limiting the treaty further. But, all in all, it was a positive step
on the way to more significant agreements
- Glassboro summit June 1967: LBJ and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin
met in Glassboro (New Jersey) to discuss US-Soviet relations. This
followed Six Day War (June 1967) where diplomatic contact and
cooperation had increased. While they failed to agree on anything
important, relations were amicable leading to ‘spirit of Glassboro’
becoming a symbol for détente and bettering relations
- Continued arms race: Following the Test Ban treaty, both sides
continued to stockpile nuclear weapons. The USA stocked up on
ICBMs and SLBMs greatly, but the USSR did so to an even greater
extent, overtaking the USA in ICBMs by some way.
Both sides had begun developing ABMs: the Soviets had first
successfully tested them in 1961 and by the late 1960s an
operational defence system was becoming possible for both sides.
ABMs threatened MAD, meaning they were incredibly dangerous
In 1968, the USA successfully tested MIRVs (Multiple independently
targetable re-entry vehicles), essentially a missile with multiple
warheads. This rendered ABMs redundant as they were designed to
stop one warhead. This forced the Soviets back to the negotiating
table as MAD was ensured again meaning their advantage in ABMs
was useless.
A significant issue of the arms race was cost, with it becoming
increasingly prohibitively expensive for both sides meaning arms
control was desirable.
In October 1964, China successfully tested a nuclear bomb, adding
depth to the arms race
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty July 1968 : These were serious
discussions on limiting nuclear weapons. Signatories agreed not to
transfer weapons to allies/proxies or give technology, and non-
nuclear states agreed not to test. Most UN countries agreed, and
though France and China didn’t sign until 1992, they had privately
, pledged to adhere to the terms and had only avoided signing for
political reasons. This was significant as it kept MAD in place and
halted the development of nuclear states – MAD worked on the
assumption that nuclear powers were rational actors, meaning it
was important to limit who could attain nuclear weapons to ensure
that no ‘irrational actors’ developed one.
- These developments were illustrative of the fact that both the USA
and USSR were seeking an easing of tensions. However, the Prague
spring and Vietnam War were obstacles that prevented détente from
beginning. Détente was only able to start when Nixon came to
power in 1969 as he championed détente and was committed to
Realpolitik. Although by 1969 the superpowers were entering a
period of easing relations
- Overall early détente: After Cuba, both powers are committed to
easing relations but obstacles remain. Seeds of détente are sowed
in 1963, and starts to send up shoots in 1967-8, and blossoms from
1969 under Nixon
Prague Spring:
- Background: Novotny had been the Stalinist, hardline leader of
Czechoslovakia since 1957. He had resisted attempts at
destalinisation by the Khrushchev regime, and by 1968
Czechoslovakia was out of line from more liberal Poland and
Hungary. For example, statues of Stalin weren’t removed until 1961.
From 1962, he was pressured by the Soviets to introduce reform, a
process which would spiral and trigger a profound crisis
- Brezhnev aims: Brezhnev became the new leader of the USSR from
October 1964, until his death in 1982. Despite forcing Khrushchev
out, he took a relatively similar line, wanting gradual liberalisation
domestically/within the Eastern Bloc. He oversaw the release of
political prisoners, relaxed censorship, and slightly more open
religious worship in Czechoslovakia from 1962-67. Brezhnev also
saw economic progress as key to the stability of Eastern Bloc
countries as this would lead to a decline in opposition
- Economic problems: These reforms coincided with Czechoslovakia’s
severe economic problems. The economy was bedevilled by
inefficient planning, export markets for industrial products in Eastern
Europe were drying up as other countries industrialised, and during
1963 GNP dropped for the first time since WW2, leading to
opposition and a questioning of current methods
- Ota Sik: This led to attempts at reform from Ota Sik. Sik was a
professor of economics, and a member of the central committee of
the Czech Communist Party. He wanted to introduce certain free
market elements to kickstart the stagnant economy. He eventually
convinced Novotny to loosen his strict adherence to central planning
and attempted reform; he relaxed price controls, introduce wage
Détente overview:
- Détente was the general easing of geopolitical tensions between the
USA and USSR from 1969-79.
- It was the foreign policy of Nixon, Ford, and partially Carter, but was
brought to an end after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
- It also led to the political reaction of hardline Cold Warriors in the
USA, leading to Reagan’s presidency, who had always opposed
détente
- Key features included regular summits between superpowers,
nuclear arms reduction talks, less hostile rhetoric, the emergence of
communist China as a third superpower
- This marked the beginning of a tripolar world order, with some even
suggesting a multi-polar world order with Japan and West Germany
emerging as economic competitors to the USA
- Other key features included the USSR reaching nuclear and naval
parity with the USA, an easing relations in Europe, greater
cooperation between East and West on trade and technology
- Détente was never viewed by any powers as the end of the Cold
War, but rather it was a recognition that there was more to gain
from cooperation than confrontation
Early détente:
- Nuclear situation 1962: By 1962, the US held a 7:1 advantage in
nuclear weapons over the Soviet Union. They were way ahead in
ICBMs, warheads, SLBMs, and long-range bombers. This put the
Soviets under pressure and they sought parity
- Cuba significance: Cuba brought the world to the brink of what
would’ve been a catastrophic nuclear war, which was incredibly
worrying for everyone involved and particularly the Soviet and US
politicians involved. It placed nuclear disarmament and détente on
the table as a legitimate issue to be discussed as both sides became
convinced of the necessity of reducing tensions as to avoid another
crisis. Khrushchev’s attitude following Cuba is one of wanting a
relationship with the US based on mutual restraint and wanted to
limit nuclear weapons – these ideas persisted after his overthrow
Kennedy’s stature improves as a result of his handling of the crisis
as he is seen as strong and able to stand up to communism;
Khrushchev’s fares less well, and it is part of the reason for his
overthrow by Brezhnev in October 1964
Cuba discredited brinkmanship as a strategy and led to an
easing of tensions; it paved the way for détente
- Hotline August 1963: Hotline established between the White House
and the Kremlin in August 1963, following the agreement to set one
, up in June. It ensured that the powers could reach other 24/7 and
crises could be averted. Came as a direct consequence of the Cuban
Missile Crisis and highlighted an attempt to better communication
and ease tensions. Symbol of cooperation.
- Moscow Test ban treaty August 1963: Significant treaty as it
officially put nuclear non-proliferation on the table and it banned
testing new weapons. It recognised the concerns of millions of
people who wanted to limit the acquisition of more nuclear weapon.
It confirmed Britain, USA, and USSR’s commitment to an easing of
nuclear tensions. However, it was largely ineffective at controlling
the arms race as it did not cover underground tests (as they weren’t
distinguishable from earthquakes), which meant testing could still
take place. Also, France and China refused to sign up to the
agreement in their quests to become superpowers in their own
right, limiting the treaty further. But, all in all, it was a positive step
on the way to more significant agreements
- Glassboro summit June 1967: LBJ and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin
met in Glassboro (New Jersey) to discuss US-Soviet relations. This
followed Six Day War (June 1967) where diplomatic contact and
cooperation had increased. While they failed to agree on anything
important, relations were amicable leading to ‘spirit of Glassboro’
becoming a symbol for détente and bettering relations
- Continued arms race: Following the Test Ban treaty, both sides
continued to stockpile nuclear weapons. The USA stocked up on
ICBMs and SLBMs greatly, but the USSR did so to an even greater
extent, overtaking the USA in ICBMs by some way.
Both sides had begun developing ABMs: the Soviets had first
successfully tested them in 1961 and by the late 1960s an
operational defence system was becoming possible for both sides.
ABMs threatened MAD, meaning they were incredibly dangerous
In 1968, the USA successfully tested MIRVs (Multiple independently
targetable re-entry vehicles), essentially a missile with multiple
warheads. This rendered ABMs redundant as they were designed to
stop one warhead. This forced the Soviets back to the negotiating
table as MAD was ensured again meaning their advantage in ABMs
was useless.
A significant issue of the arms race was cost, with it becoming
increasingly prohibitively expensive for both sides meaning arms
control was desirable.
In October 1964, China successfully tested a nuclear bomb, adding
depth to the arms race
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty July 1968 : These were serious
discussions on limiting nuclear weapons. Signatories agreed not to
transfer weapons to allies/proxies or give technology, and non-
nuclear states agreed not to test. Most UN countries agreed, and
though France and China didn’t sign until 1992, they had privately
, pledged to adhere to the terms and had only avoided signing for
political reasons. This was significant as it kept MAD in place and
halted the development of nuclear states – MAD worked on the
assumption that nuclear powers were rational actors, meaning it
was important to limit who could attain nuclear weapons to ensure
that no ‘irrational actors’ developed one.
- These developments were illustrative of the fact that both the USA
and USSR were seeking an easing of tensions. However, the Prague
spring and Vietnam War were obstacles that prevented détente from
beginning. Détente was only able to start when Nixon came to
power in 1969 as he championed détente and was committed to
Realpolitik. Although by 1969 the superpowers were entering a
period of easing relations
- Overall early détente: After Cuba, both powers are committed to
easing relations but obstacles remain. Seeds of détente are sowed
in 1963, and starts to send up shoots in 1967-8, and blossoms from
1969 under Nixon
Prague Spring:
- Background: Novotny had been the Stalinist, hardline leader of
Czechoslovakia since 1957. He had resisted attempts at
destalinisation by the Khrushchev regime, and by 1968
Czechoslovakia was out of line from more liberal Poland and
Hungary. For example, statues of Stalin weren’t removed until 1961.
From 1962, he was pressured by the Soviets to introduce reform, a
process which would spiral and trigger a profound crisis
- Brezhnev aims: Brezhnev became the new leader of the USSR from
October 1964, until his death in 1982. Despite forcing Khrushchev
out, he took a relatively similar line, wanting gradual liberalisation
domestically/within the Eastern Bloc. He oversaw the release of
political prisoners, relaxed censorship, and slightly more open
religious worship in Czechoslovakia from 1962-67. Brezhnev also
saw economic progress as key to the stability of Eastern Bloc
countries as this would lead to a decline in opposition
- Economic problems: These reforms coincided with Czechoslovakia’s
severe economic problems. The economy was bedevilled by
inefficient planning, export markets for industrial products in Eastern
Europe were drying up as other countries industrialised, and during
1963 GNP dropped for the first time since WW2, leading to
opposition and a questioning of current methods
- Ota Sik: This led to attempts at reform from Ota Sik. Sik was a
professor of economics, and a member of the central committee of
the Czech Communist Party. He wanted to introduce certain free
market elements to kickstart the stagnant economy. He eventually
convinced Novotny to loosen his strict adherence to central planning
and attempted reform; he relaxed price controls, introduce wage
