BASIC DIGITAL PRESENTATION

"We seek an open world—open to ideas, open to the exchange of goods and people—a world in which no people, great or small, will live in angry isolation....Those who would be our adversaries, we invite to a peaceful competition—not in conquering territory or extending dominion but in enriching the life of man."

- Richard M. Nixon 37th President of the United States

The Era of Détente

Digital Learning Toolby Tizian, Konstantin and Alex

Start

Lead Question

Did China force the Soviet Union into Détente?

Main Menu

Meaning of Détente

Protagonists

Causes

Timeline

Results

Tasks

Quiz

Bibliography

Meaning of Détente

The Era of Détente describes a stage of the Cold War in which the USA and the Soviet Union eased their tensions. The period between 1967 and 1979 was a time of increased trade, cooperation and general diplomatic relations that eventually led to the signing of the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) treaties and the nuclear disarmament of the superpowers.

Protagonists

Mao Zedong

Richard M. Nixon

Leonid Iljitsch Breschnew

Causes of Détente

Fear of Nuclear war

Economic Factors and domestic issues

Causes of Détente

Sino Soviet-Split

Ostpolitik

Timeline

1972

1968

1963

Summit Meeting in Beijing

Non-proliferation treaty (NPT)

Presidental Hotline

1971

1963

Ping Pong diplomacy

Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT)

Timeline

1975

1973

1972

Apollo-Soyuz

Brezhnev visits Washington

SALT 1

1974

1972-1975

Vladivostok Agreement

Watergate Scandal

Timeline

1979

1975

End of Détente

Invasion of Afghanistan

Helsinki Accord

1979

Signing of SALT 2

Results of Détente

Even if Détente did not bring about the end of the Cold War, the diplomatic rapprochements that took place during that period are of great importance today. The superpowers were forced into negotiations, which eventually led to the control of the world's nuclear weapons stockpiles and ensured that no major escalations as they had been in the past were possible anymore. Furthermore, it has shown that even if enormous ideological differences exist between the world powers, a peaceful coexistence is possible.

YOUR turn

read through the following newspaper article from 1980 and then complete the 3 tasks.

02

01

03

The article discusses whether détente was a temporary or permanent condition. Provide 3 arguments for each position.

Which events made the ratification of the SALT agreement more difficult?

"The improvement of US-Chinese diplomatic relations has forced the Soviet Union into détente." Argue on this statement and provide historical examples to support your arguments.

Test YOUR gained knowledge!

Bibliography

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