Détente and Europe, 1963-1984

Détente Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) – A lessening of tensions in the Cold War After the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1963, many countries pulled back from confrontation to reduce the chances of nuclear war Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) – Prohibited testing in outer space, in the atmosphere, and underwater Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1964) – Nations agreed not to develop nuclear weapons Nations such as France, China, India, Pakistan, and other nations refused to sign

U.S. and U.S.S.R. Influence Western European nations became less dependent on the U.S. (especially France) The Sino-Soviet split allowed many Eastern European states more autonomy The People’s Republic of China exploded a nuclear bomb in 1964, changing the balance The bipolar U.S.-Soviet global rivalry moved into a multipolar balance of power.

Better U.S./Soviet Relations 1963 -- Hot line A “hot line” was installed so that the U.S. president and Soviet premier could defuse a potential crisis Kennedy and Khrushchev were often forced to communicate through public broadcasts during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Better U.S./Soviet Relations In 1963, the U.S. agreed to sell large quantities of wheat to the Soviet Union. This new trade relation would expand to include other goods. Tourism was encouraged. Culture exchanges. (Ex. Bolshoi Ballet & Louis Armstrong)

The Common Market in Europe European Community (1967) Worked to end tariffs between member nation and create a free flow of trade Members: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg Great Britain, Ireland, and Denmark joined in 1973; Greece in 1981 The EC helped continue the postwar recovery and break Western Europe’s economic dependence on the U.S.

Charles de Gaulle (President of France)1958-69 Wanted to end Western Europe’s political dependence on the U.S. Encouraged France to develop nuclear capability Tested bomb in 1960 Began withdrawing French troops from U.S.-dominated NATO in 1959; All French removed by 1967 Demanded that all NATO troops leave France Envisioned France had head of the Third Force that would stand between the U.S. and the Soviet Union De Gaulle never realized his goal and resigned in 1969.

Soviet Union Khrushchev was ousted from power in 1964 and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev The Brezhnev Era, 1964-82 Military spending remained top priority Put an end to Khrushchev’s “de-Stalinization” campaign Had a stroke in 1976 Economic and political decline; corruption, favoritism, and alcoholism increase Between 1982-85, Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko both die in office

Eastern Europe Many Eastern European countries attempted to gain some level of autonomy during the 1960s Czechoslovakia tried to adopt liberal reforms The “Prague Spring” of 1968 hoped to produce a more humane socialism The Soviet Union invaded and Alexander Dubček resigned. The Soviet invasion involved about 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops and was remarkably well-planned and executed. Only a handful of soldiers died. More than 80 Czechoslovak citizens were killed and several hundred wounded during a month of clashes following the invasion.

Germany and Détente Chancellor of West Germany (1969-74) Willy Brandt Chancellor of West Germany (1969-74) Proposed Ostpolitik (A hand offered to the East) In 1972, East and West Germany recognized each other and were both admitted to the U.N.

U.S. and China Richard Nixon became president in 1969 and wanted to ease cold war tensions; relied on diplomatic skills of Henry Kissinger Chinese/U.S. relations improved In 1971, Henry Kissinger secretly visited China. In 1971, the U.N. expelled Taiwan and seated the People’s Republic; the U.S. did not veto In 1972, Nixon traveled to Beijing to meet Mao and made recognition an official and public act. Before leaving he was given two giant pandas, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling

Ping Pong Diplomacy The two countries established cultural, economic, and diplomatic relations U.S. Ping Pong team visits China. U.S. ends restrictions on travel to China, ends trade embargo Agreed to the “one-China policy” (Tawain was part of China)

Détente Agreements Nixon and Brezhnev signed a series of agreements Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Suspended the building of ICBMs, capped the number of a variety of weapons. ABM Treaty Limited the deployment of antiballistic missiles, designed to destroy incoming missiles Helsinki Agreements (1975) 33 European nations plus the U.S. & Canada ratified the results of WWII (boundaries)

Economic Problems and Politics In 1974-75, an increase in food and petroleum prices combined with an economic recession to create severe inflation in Western Europe. Conservative governments Helmut Kohl becomes chancellor of West Germany in 1982. Margaret Thatcher becomes prime minister of G.B. in 1979. Socialist governments Francois Mitterrand elected president of France in 1981

Collapse of Détente By the late 1970s, the optimism that the Cold War had virtually ended had faded. The continued Soviet military buildup and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 soured relations with the U.S. As a result the U.S. Failed to ratify the 1979 SALT II Treaty. Boycotted the Olympics in Moscow in 1980. Placed and embargo on U.S. grain shipments to the Soviet Union.