1. What was Détente? The Cold War

3. Detente is French for relaxation or known as a thawing in relations between the USSR & USA. During the Cold War there were periods when relations between the superpowers improved, when tensions were reduced. Detente is French for relaxation or known as a thawing in relations between the USSR & USA. During the Cold War there were periods when relations between the superpowers improved, when tensions were reduced. BUT. conventional forces: no agreement to reduce forces, USSR wanted larger army. SALT II : never really happened BUT. conventional forces: no agreement to reduce forces, USSR wanted larger army. SALT II : never really happened Detente 1. 1971 - 1979 Nixon & Brezhnev Summits x 5:. SALT I (1972): limit nuclear missiles & bombers. SALT II (1975): further limits but stopped because of Afghanistan. joint space mission: shook hands in space. trade links: more trade between West & East Detente 1. 1971 - 1979 Nixon & Brezhnev Summits x 5:. SALT I (1972): limit nuclear missiles & bombers. SALT II (1975): further limits but stopped because of Afghanistan. joint space mission: shook hands in space. trade links: more trade between West & East

4. 2. Helsinki Conference 1973-75 (European Security Conference) Signed Helsinki Accords:. security: European borders agreed inc. West/East Germany. human rights: respect human rights & right to travel between countries. co-operation: better links through trade & cultural visits 2. Helsinki Conference 1973-75 (European Security Conference) Signed Helsinki Accords:. security: European borders agreed inc. West/East Germany. human rights: respect human rights & right to travel between countries. co-operation: better links through trade & cultural visits BUT. human rights: no improvement in USSR & E.Europe. Brezhnev said it was not others business.Critics of communism were still harshly treated.. rivalry: rivalry continued around the world as the BUT. human rights: no improvement in USSR & E.Europe. Brezhnev said it was not others business.Critics of communism were still harshly treated.. rivalry: rivalry continued around the world as the

6. USA in the Middle East USA had gradually extended its influence across the Middle East in the 1960s & 1970s e.g. Egypt, Saudi & Pakistan. USA in the Middle East USA had gradually extended its influence across the Middle East in the 1960s & 1970s e.g. Egypt, Saudi & Pakistan. USSR’s Brezhnev Doctrine USSR had increased support to communists around the world. USSR considered the USA to be in a weak position after its defeat in Vietnam. USSR’s Brezhnev Doctrine USSR had increased support to communists around the world. USSR considered the USA to be in a weak position after its defeat in Vietnam. Afghanistan Islamic tribal population. Mountainous country. Poor infrastructure. Few large cities. Afghanistan Islamic tribal population. Mountainous country. Poor infrastructure. Few large cities.

7. Afghanistan Civil War Amin led a communist government following a ‘revolution’ in 1978, that persecuted the Muslim population. The Mujahdeen declared a jihad - a holy war - on the govt. They fought a guerilla war from the mountains. Afghanistan Civil War Amin led a communist government following a ‘revolution’ in 1978, that persecuted the Muslim population. The Mujahdeen declared a jihad - a holy war - on the govt. They fought a guerilla war from the mountains. The War Dec 1979 Soviet soldiers invaded killing Amin & putting Afghanistan under direct Soviet control. They claimed that they had been invited by the Afghan govt. after Soviet ‘military advisors’ had been killed. The invasion was condemned by most of the UN General Assembly. Within weeks the Red Army controlled the main roads & cities. The War Dec 1979 Soviet soldiers invaded killing Amin & putting Afghanistan under direct Soviet control. They claimed that they had been invited by the Afghan govt. after Soviet ‘military advisors’ had been killed. The invasion was condemned by most of the UN General Assembly. Within weeks the Red Army controlled the main roads & cities. BUT: By 1982 the Mujaheddin controlled 75% of the country. In 1989 Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan.. BUT: By 1982 the Mujaheddin controlled 75% of the country. In 1989 Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan..

10. The significance of new leaders In 1980, Ronald Reagan, an ex-film star, became president of the USA. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the USSR.

11. Strongly anti-communist Called USSR ‘Empire of Evil’ Introduced massive budget increases on military and weapons development. Wanted to improve living conditions and industrial efficiency in USSR. Moved towards giving people greater political freedom. Understood the crippling effects of keeping up with US spending. Reagan – USA Gorbachev – USSR

12. Mikhail Gorbachev Mikhail Gorbachev wanted to improve living standards for those in the USSR. How do you think President Reagan reacted to Gorbachev? Gorbachev wanted arms limitation talks and had no intention of getting involved in another Arms Race. He pushed for reforms to change the USSR’s government spending habits and allow a more open society. Perestroika (economic restructuring) and Glasnost (openness) were his key policies. He understood that the Soviet economy was under immense pressure and the huge investment on military spending severely limited state support for its own people!

13. A new Cold War 1979-85 US foreign policy Reagan (Republican) became President in 1980. He did not support detente, he thought the USA should be strong with the USSR. Reagan was more aggressive towards the USSR e.g. increased defence spending Pershing & cruise missiles inEurope started Strategic Defence Initiative (Star Wars) – which could in theory shoot down Soviet missiles in space. Reagan hoped that being more aggressive would force the USSR into reducing arms as the cost was rising. A new Cold War 1979-85 US foreign policy Reagan (Republican) became President in 1980. He did not support detente, he thought the USA should be strong with the USSR. Reagan was more aggressive towards the USSR e.g. increased defence spending Pershing & cruise missiles inEurope started Strategic Defence Initiative (Star Wars) – which could in theory shoot down Soviet missiles in space. Reagan hoped that being more aggressive would force the USSR into reducing arms as the cost was rising. Olympic Games The USA boycotted the Moscow Games in 1980, and then the USSR + Eastern European countries boycotted the Los Angeles Games in 1984. Olympic Games The USA boycotted the Moscow Games in 1980, and then the USSR + Eastern European countries boycotted the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

18. Events leading to collapse Geneva summit Nov 1985 Reagan & Gorbachev discussed a variety of issues, from SDI to human rights. No agreements but laid the foundation for further talks. Events leading to collapse Geneva summit Nov 1985 Reagan & Gorbachev discussed a variety of issues, from SDI to human rights. No agreements but laid the foundation for further talks. Reykjavik summit Oct 1986 Gorbachev & Reagan discussed getting rid of all ballistic missiles. Agrrement was close, but the USA would not give up research & development on SDI. Without that there was no agreement form the USSR. But it showed that both leaders were willing to discuss serious arms reduction. Reykjavik summit Oct 1986 Gorbachev & Reagan discussed getting rid of all ballistic missiles. Agrrement was close, but the USA would not give up research & development on SDI. Without that there was no agreement form the USSR. But it showed that both leaders were willing to discuss serious arms reduction. Washington summit Dec 1987 Discussed a range of issues uncluding Afghnaistan, Central America, South Africa & chemical weapons. Agreement on limiting intermediate range nuclear missiles. Washington summit Dec 1987 Discussed a range of issues uncluding Afghnaistan, Central America, South Africa & chemical weapons. Agreement on limiting intermediate range nuclear missiles. Gorbachev’s UN speech Dec 1988 Announced huge miliatry reductions in Europe & on Chinese border. Decision was unilateral and inc. 500,000 soldiers. Soviet troops were withdrawn from E.European countries. Gorbachev’s UN speech Dec 1988 Announced huge miliatry reductions in Europe & on Chinese border. Decision was unilateral and inc. 500,000 soldiers. Soviet troops were withdrawn from E.European countries. Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan 1989 Soviet power was shown to be limited. It become to USSR what Vietnam was to the USA. Soviets worried that anti Soviet feeling would spread across Muslim population in USSR. Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan 1989 Soviet power was shown to be limited. It become to USSR what Vietnam was to the USA. Soviets worried that anti Soviet feeling would spread across Muslim population in USSR.