Quick questions on Detente 1969 to 1979: QCE Modern History Unit 4

By 1969 several factors made detente attractive:

The Sino-Soviet split and Mao's interest in countering Soviet power created an opening:

SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, signed May 26, 1972). Negotiated in Helsinki and Vienna 1969-1972. Two components:

The Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE, later OSCE) produced the Helsinki Final Act, signed by 35 states including the USA, USSR, and all European states except Albania. Three "baskets":

Detente did not end the Cold War. Both sides continued to compete in regions where direct conflict was not at issue:

Carter's human-rights focus (1977 onwards). Carter's emphasis on human rights challenged Soviet sensitivities. Sakharov, Helsinki Watch dissidents, and Jewish refusniks became diplomatic flashpoints.

Carter (President 1977-1981) responded to Afghanistan with:

Liberal / detente-supportive. Detente was substantively valuable. SALT I and II prevented unconstrained arms racing. Helsinki Accords contributed to the eventual end of the Cold War through human-rights pressure. The breakdown was unavoidable given Soviet behaviour but did not invalidate the gains.

Negotiated in Helsinki and Vienna 1969-1972. Two components:

Carter-Brezhnev. Set ceilings on missile launchers and addressed MIRVs. The Senate did not ratify SALT II because of conservative opposition and, decisively, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (December 1979).

Soviet/Cuban support for Marxist movements in Angola (from 1975) and Ethiopia (from 1977). The USA supported anti-communist forces (UNITA in Angola, Somalia against Ethiopia).

USA supported Israel; USSR backed Arab states. The 1973 Yom Kippur War was a Cold War crisis: USSR threatened intervention; USA placed nuclear forces on DEFCON 3.

US withdrew (Paris Accords 1973), then South Vietnam fell (April 1975). The USSR's ally won; the US "Vietnam syndrome" took hold.

US-backed military coup in Chile (1973) installed Pinochet, replacing the elected socialist Allende.

Carter's emphasis on human rights challenged Soviet sensitivities. Sakharov, Helsinki Watch dissidents, and Jewish refusniks became diplomatic flashpoints.