Why was there détente in the 1970s?

The period from the Second World War to the mid 1970’s was one of great hostility and tension between the U.S and Russia. Both had emerged from World War II as superpowers. It was during this timeframe, that the frightening prospect of nuclear war became closer and closer. Nuclear war would mean the end to mankind, so the need for a détente became necessary. Détente is a French word that was used during the Cold War meaning ‘the easing or relaxing of tensions between nations.’ The reasons for a détente were not only nuclear related. Russia was in severe economic crisis and was facing isolation from the non-communist world and public opinion in America believed that the Cold War was ‘unjustifiable both economically and morally.’

After the Second World War, the world had entered into a dangerous period where complete destruction could occur at any time. Nuclear weapons had been developed as a threat to enemies. The tension that was created between the U.S and Russia led to the massive ‘arms race.’ The possibility of full scale nuclear was one of the main reasons that forced the U.S and Russia to agree to a détente. From 1945 till 1957, the U.S had significantly more advanced nuclear weapons than Russia. However Russia had massive ground forces to even up the ‘balance of power.’ The period from 1957 till 1962 saw the ‘missile gap,’ decrease and the balance of nuclear weapons became closer. In October 1957, Russia launched Sputnik 1 into space. This added a frightening dimension to war, as the U.S now not only had to worry about conventional attacks from land, sea and air, but now from space. The type of rocket that had launched Sputnik 1 could also launch nuclear warheads. This was demonstrated previously in 1957, with the successful testing of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM’s). Russia could now launch a successful ‘first strike.’ The U.S had the problem of overcoming the ‘missile gap,’ and also developing a ‘second strike’ ability – being able to retaliate after suffering an attack. Both superpowers realised if they could not come to an agreement, then the world could end.

This is a preview of the whole essay

The Cuban Missile crisis of 1962, revealed to the U.S and to the world that Russia were very capable of starting a nuclear war. People all around the world lived in terror during this period, fearing when they came home that they could be in a nuclear war. “I was 13, and when I went to school I thought, would I still be alive at the end of the day?” This is how many people felt about the situation. People began to see that nuclear war was unacceptable and would lead to Mutually Assured Destruction. (MAD) This was the idea that no matter who launched first, the other side could get off a ‘second strike.’ This would mean that both sides would be completely destroyed was one of the major reasons that the U.S and Russia needed to scale down the ‘arms race’ and organise a peace agreement. A détente was the only sensible option.

This period also became known as the ‘balance of terror.’ The need for a ‘second strike’ capability led both Russia and the U.S to spend considerable money and effort in the 1960’s. They increased their supply of warheads and placed nuclear weapons in underground silos and in submarines, where they would be very effective and hard to detect. The need for a ‘second strike’ also led to the development of anti-ballistic missile systems, (ABM’s) which could intercept missiles and decrease the potential damage. The submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) also became an effective threat. This weapon was able to fire a nuclear missile from an undetected location immediately offshore of the enemy's coastline. This missile would arrive at its target in a matter of minutes, possibly eliminating enemy response. SLBMs were a very dangerous weapon because they created the possibility of a nuclear victory. The thought that either superpower could launch a nuclear weapon and destroy the enemy scared both sides into wanting to accomplish a détente. They needed to feel comfortable that there would be no ‘sneak’ attacks. The only way was to agree to a détente.

Although the main reasons that the U.S and Russia wanted a détente were nuclear related, there were also political and economical reasons. Both superpowers had suffered huge expenditure from the arms race. This had cost them billions of dollars to develop their nuclear arson as well as an effective defence system. This had all come from taxpayers money. Russia had suffered enormous problems. A détente would mean that Russia could divert money into its much needed industries, and begin to catch up on the west. At the same time the U.S wanted to get its troops out of Vietnam, but could not do so until they were certain Russia would stop supporting North Vietnam. There were over 500,000 U.S soldiers in Vietnam by 1969. If the U.S could organise a détente, it could have its soldiers back home, or deployed elsewhere.

The Sino-Soviet split was also a huge political factor that led Russia to agree to a détente. Russia and China were allies until they split after the Korean War. China joined the United Nations, leaving the Communist Russia in almost economic isolation. Russia had limited trade with the U.S. Most of their trade was done with communist countries. After the détente, the Soviet-American trade increased from $200 million to $1.5 Billion annually. Détente was the only viable option that could stop all out nuclear war and decrease the huge expenditure associated with the ‘arms race.’ It would decrease hostility and tension in the world. For the U.S, a détente would mean they could move troops out of Vietnam, whilst for Russia it would mean they were no longer economically isolated.

In November 1969 Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) took place between the superpowers. In 1972 ‘SALT 1’ was signed which placed a 5-year limit on the number of Soviet and American ballistic missiles. In 1974 the superpowers agreed that they should only develop one ABM system each. Many believed that the détente hadn’t worked and that the ‘arms race’ was still on. In 1979 Russia invaded Afghanistan and the détente was over. Many people criticised the U.S government. However, had it not of been for the détente, then the world might not be what it is today. It helped reduce the chance of nuclear war, something that it did effectively and something that everyone wanted.

Summary: