Background
• After Cuban Missiles Crisis, both USA & USSR sought to avoid conflict.
• Despite (? ∵) changes in leadership (Kennedy assassinated 1963, Khrushchev displaced 1964):
◦ 1967 Six Day War: USSR's Kosygin used hotline to seek ceasefire.
◦ July 1967: Kosygin & Pres. Johnson met at GLASSBORO; Vietnam War discussed, "amicable" atmosphere.
◦ Oct 1967: USA, UK, USSR signed OUTER SPACE Treaty (peaceful use of Moon & space).
◦ Aug 1968: Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia stalled dialogue but ≠ crisis.
◦ 1968: NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION Treaty limited nuclear tech to 5 nations (US, USSR, China, France, UK).
Why did the USA seek détente?
1. Nuclear Worries
◦ Late 1960s: USSR had matched USA in nuclear weapons & had larger conventional forces.
◦ NATO exercises in Germany focused on retreat, showing USA lacked confidence in war victory.
◦ Nixon (1959): promoted ‘peaceful competition’ w. USSR.
◦ Cost of Cold War (arms race + Vietnam War) diverted funds from domestic issues.
2. International Difficulties
◦ By 1967, Vietnam War failing; 1968: Johnson opened peace talks.
◦ US needed USSR to influence North Vietnam.
◦ US losing influence in Europe (France & W. Germany engaging w. Iron Curtain states).
◦ Jussi Hanhimäki (2013): US sought détente ∵ of declining power & prestige.
3. Economic & Social Problems
◦ US faced period of STAGFLATION (recession + rising prices).
◦ Oil crisis (∵ of Biafran War, Arab-Israeli conflicts, OPEC, Suez Canal closure) → ↑ costs of arms/military.
◦ Social unrest (anti-Vietnam protests, industrial disputes).
◦ Jeremy Suri (2005): détente = superpowers uniting to handle shared domestic challenges.
4. China
◦ 1969: USSR-China tensions almost led to nuclear war.
◦ USA could no longer claim to be democracy’s defender vs. united communist threat.
5. Endorsed by Leadership
◦ Nixon (1969): wanted Vietnam exit & ‘peacemaker’ legacy.
◦ 1969 ‘Nixon DOCTRINE’: nations should defend themselves vs. communism.
◦ Kissinger engaged in ‘TRIANGULAR Diplomacy’: US, USSR, China.
Why did the USSR seek détente?
1. Nuclear Worries
◦ USSR nuclear parity w. USA = MAD.
◦ Continuation of Leninist RAZRYADKA (‘relaxing of tension) idea promoted by Khrushchev.
◦ Soviet military spending (12-14% of GNP) unsustainable.
2. International Successes
◦ After Berlin Wall (1961) & Czechoslovakia (1968), Warsaw Pact stable
◦ France (1964 trade deal, NATO exit 1966), W. Germany's Ostpolitik ↓ USSR security fears.
3. Economic & Political Problems
◦ Farming crisis (1980: 20% of budget on agriculture).
◦ Slowing industry, corruption, housing shortages, black market.
◦ Social issues: low birth rate, alcoholism, environmental damage.
◦ Internal opposition (DISSIDENCE) growing → Brezhnev sought stability.
4. China
◦ 1962: China broke w. USSR over Cuban Crisis.
◦ 1969: Border conflict risked nuclear war.
◦ Nixon's criticism of USSR → fear of US-China alliance.
5. Endorsed by Leadership
◦ Brezhnev distrusted détente but promoted it.
◦ Vladislav Zubok (2009): Brezhnev’s support = key to détente's survival.
Achievements of détente, 1969-72
1. With China
• 'PING-PONG Diplomacy' (1971): US table-tennis team visited China.
• Oct 1971: USA stopped backing Taiwan; China admitted to UN.
• 1972 Nixon visit: Met Zhou Enlai; signed SHANGHAI Communique → ‘one China’ principle, better econ/cultural ties.
2. With USSR
• May 1972 Nixon Moscow Visit:
◦ BASIC PRINCIPLES of Relations Agreement: defined US-USSR relations.
◦ Trade Deal: Soviets bought US grain cheaply; US-Soviet trade ↑ 7x (1971-73).
◦ SALT I arms limitation treaty: froze ICBMs, maintained USSR’s slight lead.
◦ Other Agreements: 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, SALT II talks.
• 1973 Washington Summit: nuclear war prevention, science, trade, cultural talks.
3. In Europe
• 1970 Treaty of MOSCOW (USSR-W. Germany): recognised borders, renounced force.
• 1972 ‘BASIC Treaty’ (W. & E. Germany): mutual recognition.
4. After 1972…
• July 1975 Apollo-Soyuz docking: symbol of cooperation.
• 1975 HELSINKI Accords:
◦ 33 European states + USA & Canada → recognised 1945 borders.
◦ USSR agreed to notify military exercises 21 days in advance.
◦ Human rights clauses ignored by USSR (→ persecuted critics, Jews, Muslims).
• Détente collapsed: SALT II failed; 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan ended cooperation.
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