The Move to Détente

1. BGS History A2 Revision Tests The Move to Détente

2. 1) What was the “high point of Détente?” The Apollo-Soyuz link-up

3. 2) Why was the “fear of war” an important factor in bringing about Détente? Cuban Missile Crisis highlighted the danger of superpower confrontation- MAD Both countries needed to reduce this risk

4. 3) What role did the Arms Race play in the USSR’s decision to pursue Détente? USSR had achieved parity to a greater degree in the Arms Race- this meant that Arms Limitation agreements would come from a position of strength, and stop the USA from pushing ahead with new technologies

5. 4) What else caused the Soviet Union to pursue Détente? (3) • The need to stabilise their hold over Eastern Europe • The Sino-Soviet split • Economic problems facing the Politburo

6. 5) What caused the USA to pursue Détente? (4) • The realisation that there were limits to its global power (Vietnam) • Economic problems following Vietnam • Felt more could be gained by negotiation rather than confrontation • Reduce the influence of the powerful industrial-military complex

7. 6) Why is it interesting that Nixon & Kissinger were the ones to pursue Détente? Both were right-wing, and had established credentials as anti-communists

8. 7) What were the European needs? Instability from both sides of the Iron Curtain- strikes & demonstrations

9. 8) What was “Ostpolitik”? Opening up channels between East & West- pushed by Willy Brandt (West German leader)

10. 9) What role did economic realities play to America? (2) • Oil Crisis of 1973 led to US’ fear of social unrest within the Allies of Western Europe • Economic strains made it difficult to justify huge military spending

11. 10) What role did economic realities play to the USSR? (4) • Vast sums of money were used to support communist allies • Rigid planning of Communist system made it inflexible • Soviet technology was falling behind the West • Over-emphasis on heavy industry meant that consumer good were in short supply