Paper 2: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Key Topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
In revising for this paper, it is important that you are able to recall key information from each key event so that you can use the information as
part of a narrative response, a consequences response, or an effects question.
Remember – not every event would warrant a full exam question. For example, it is unlikely that you would be asked to write a “narrative” on
the Novikov Telegram, but you could use this information in a narrative account of the key events that increased Cold War tensions during the
period 1945-49.
Key event Key information: Can I recall How would I use this How would I use this How would I use this
three key facts about this event? information in a information in a information in an
“consequences” narrative style question? importance style
question? question?
Détente – 1970-80 A period of peace between two Consequence 1: Arms Importance 1: Significant
groups that were previously Control Agreements improving of relations
hostile with each other. (leading to a safer world)
After the Cuba Crisis the USA Consequence 2: Importance 2: Nuclear
and USSR wanted to get on Economic Arms Control
better in the 1970s – this thaw in Interdependence
the Cold War is called détente.
Both needed to focus on
economic and social problems at
home, not war.
Led to SALT 1 – 1972, Helsinki
Accords – 1975 and SALT 2 –
1979.
SALT 1 Agreement - Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. Consequence 1: Salt II Importance 1: Arms
1972 Limited the number of nuclear limitation preventing
weapons both sides had. Consequence 2: Arms chance of nuclear war
Anti-Ballistic missile treaty. limitation
Interim treaty to restrict ICBMs Importance 2:
and SLBMs Continuing détente
, Paper 2: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Key Topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
President Nixon visits Nixon visited Brezhnev in
Moscow - 1974 Moscow after the signing of
SALT 1 to show they were
building their relationship.
Helsinki Agreement - Peace agreement between NATO Consequence 1: Importance 1:
1975 and the Warsaw Pact. Recognition of borders Superpower relations
and international were improved by the
3 baskets were agreed: cooperation Agreements which
1. European Borders – furthered détente in the
borders cannot be moved 1970s.
in Europe. Consequence 2: Human
2. International cooperation rights emphasis Importance 2: The Soviet
– Share technology, Union’s failure to
science, and trade. observe the agreement
3. Human rights – Respect on human rights led to
human rights and increased tension.
freedoms of speech,
religion, and free
movement across Europe.
Apollo-Soyuz Mission Soviet and American astronauts
- 1975 worked on the Apollo-Soyuz
mission to space together.
Salt 2 Agreement - President Carter and Brezhnev Consequence 1: Arms Importance 1: Improved
1979 worked together to create SALT limitation agreements relations and showed
II. movement in the right
Consequence 2: direction for limiting
Restrictions in missile launchers Deterioration of US- arms
and bombers. Also restrict testing Soviet relations
of ICBMs. Importance 2: Significant
deterioration of US-
Although the US did not trust Soviet relations lead to it
, Paper 2: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Key Topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
Brezhnev; this was backed up by not being signed
the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan, so the US withdrew
from talks.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan was on the USSR. It Consequence 1: Carter Importance 1:
Afghanistan - 1979 was a Middle Eastern Country. Doctrine Significantly worsened
Iran which bordered Afghanistan One military relations as ended
saw an Islamic extremist group consequence of the détente
take control of the country. Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan was the Importance 2:
USSR were worried this extremist Carter Doctrine. Carter
takeover could spread through stated that he would use
the Middle East and could take military force if necessary
over the USSR. to defend it's national
interests in the Persian
USSR supported an Afghan group Gulf if necessary. In
to take over power in the addition to this, the
country. However, the group Carter Doctrine also
asked the West for advice and promised US military aid
not the USSR so Brezhnev to all of the countries
decided he could not trust them bordering Afghanistan.
in power. So, to prevent this The establishment of the
spread of influence they invaded Rapid Deployment Joint
Afghanistan to make sure the Task Force (March 1980)
country was communist. was a mobile military
force designed to rapidly
USA was furious at this invasion. move locations
They ended détente as the USSR depending on need. The
had used military force again to organisation was largely
spread their ideas. The USA focused upon countries in
support local Afghan to try and the Middle East such as
fight off the USSR. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq
and Saudi Arabia for
In revising for this paper, it is important that you are able to recall key information from each key event so that you can use the information as
part of a narrative response, a consequences response, or an effects question.
Remember – not every event would warrant a full exam question. For example, it is unlikely that you would be asked to write a “narrative” on
the Novikov Telegram, but you could use this information in a narrative account of the key events that increased Cold War tensions during the
period 1945-49.
Key event Key information: Can I recall How would I use this How would I use this How would I use this
three key facts about this event? information in a information in a information in an
“consequences” narrative style question? importance style
question? question?
Détente – 1970-80 A period of peace between two Consequence 1: Arms Importance 1: Significant
groups that were previously Control Agreements improving of relations
hostile with each other. (leading to a safer world)
After the Cuba Crisis the USA Consequence 2: Importance 2: Nuclear
and USSR wanted to get on Economic Arms Control
better in the 1970s – this thaw in Interdependence
the Cold War is called détente.
Both needed to focus on
economic and social problems at
home, not war.
Led to SALT 1 – 1972, Helsinki
Accords – 1975 and SALT 2 –
1979.
SALT 1 Agreement - Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. Consequence 1: Salt II Importance 1: Arms
1972 Limited the number of nuclear limitation preventing
weapons both sides had. Consequence 2: Arms chance of nuclear war
Anti-Ballistic missile treaty. limitation
Interim treaty to restrict ICBMs Importance 2:
and SLBMs Continuing détente
, Paper 2: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Key Topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
President Nixon visits Nixon visited Brezhnev in
Moscow - 1974 Moscow after the signing of
SALT 1 to show they were
building their relationship.
Helsinki Agreement - Peace agreement between NATO Consequence 1: Importance 1:
1975 and the Warsaw Pact. Recognition of borders Superpower relations
and international were improved by the
3 baskets were agreed: cooperation Agreements which
1. European Borders – furthered détente in the
borders cannot be moved 1970s.
in Europe. Consequence 2: Human
2. International cooperation rights emphasis Importance 2: The Soviet
– Share technology, Union’s failure to
science, and trade. observe the agreement
3. Human rights – Respect on human rights led to
human rights and increased tension.
freedoms of speech,
religion, and free
movement across Europe.
Apollo-Soyuz Mission Soviet and American astronauts
- 1975 worked on the Apollo-Soyuz
mission to space together.
Salt 2 Agreement - President Carter and Brezhnev Consequence 1: Arms Importance 1: Improved
1979 worked together to create SALT limitation agreements relations and showed
II. movement in the right
Consequence 2: direction for limiting
Restrictions in missile launchers Deterioration of US- arms
and bombers. Also restrict testing Soviet relations
of ICBMs. Importance 2: Significant
deterioration of US-
Although the US did not trust Soviet relations lead to it
, Paper 2: Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91 - Key Topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
Brezhnev; this was backed up by not being signed
the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan, so the US withdrew
from talks.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan was on the USSR. It Consequence 1: Carter Importance 1:
Afghanistan - 1979 was a Middle Eastern Country. Doctrine Significantly worsened
Iran which bordered Afghanistan One military relations as ended
saw an Islamic extremist group consequence of the détente
take control of the country. Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan was the Importance 2:
USSR were worried this extremist Carter Doctrine. Carter
takeover could spread through stated that he would use
the Middle East and could take military force if necessary
over the USSR. to defend it's national
interests in the Persian
USSR supported an Afghan group Gulf if necessary. In
to take over power in the addition to this, the
country. However, the group Carter Doctrine also
asked the West for advice and promised US military aid
not the USSR so Brezhnev to all of the countries
decided he could not trust them bordering Afghanistan.
in power. So, to prevent this The establishment of the
spread of influence they invaded Rapid Deployment Joint
Afghanistan to make sure the Task Force (March 1980)
country was communist. was a mobile military
force designed to rapidly
USA was furious at this invasion. move locations
They ended détente as the USSR depending on need. The
had used military force again to organisation was largely
spread their ideas. The USA focused upon countries in
support local Afghan to try and the Middle East such as
fight off the USSR. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq
and Saudi Arabia for
