Soviet economic problems were the main reason for detente in the early 1970s. How far do you agree?

by ellajkmorrisgmailcom (student)

‘Soviet economic problems were the main reason for detente in the early 1970s. How far do you agree? ‘

I agree to a certain extent with the statement ‘Soviet economic problems were the main reason for détente in the early 1970s’ because, while Soviet economic problems were a major factor in the reasons for the period of improved relations between the USA and the USSR, there were several additional factors that led to détente in the early 1970’s, specifically the policies of President Nixon and both the USSR’s and USA’s relations with China.

Firstly, I believe that Soviet economic problems were a large reason for détente in the early 1970s due to how it pushed the Soviets to be keen to improve relations as they needed to reduce military spending. By the 1960’s, the USSR had spent 20% of its annual spending on defence and their military, allowing them to have approximately 30,000 warheads by the 1960’s. The country’s population were starving and living in poor housing as a result of their economic policies and therefore had to import and rely on supplies from the West, Brezhnev believed that a reduction in arms spending would allow the country to devote more resources to improving living standards. The Soviet Union was therefore hopeful that they could cut defence spending by partaking in détente as they couldn’t afford to be on poor relations with the USA, this allowed for peaceful co-existence and cooperation, meaning they didn’t have to worry about nuclear war and could limit defence spending. However, the economic problems that the country was experiencing was a large factor in the Soviet Union’s decision to be involved in détente but didn’t have any influence over the other country’s that were partaking. Furthermore, the USSR was also falling behind in new technologies, such as computers and microchips, and therefore believed that improved relations would lead to the West possibly sharing some of their technology, the USA’s weakness during the Vietnam war also led the Soviet Union to believe that they would welcome co-operation. This suggests that Soviet economic problems were a large reason for the USSR’s involvement in détente in the early 1970’s.

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Secondly, the policies of President Nixon and his involvement in the Cold War led to détente through his efforts to be on better terms with the Soviet Union and reduce nuclear escalation. Nixon, additionally, had personal interests in seeking détente and felt that it would help him politically, especially considering how he had spent around $170 billion on the Vietnam War, he also supposed that détente would allow him to leave the war earlier. Nixon was the first American President to visit the Kremlin, on May 22, 1972, and to sign the first-ever agreement to limit nuclear weapons alongside his supposed rival Brezhnev. Furthermore, the Nixon administration promoted communication between the Soviet Union and the USA, this is seen in the regular summit meetings taking place, negotiation over arms control and the other bilateral agreements. The occurrence of SALT 1, regarded by some as the ‘crowning achievement of the Nixon-Kissinger strategy of détente’, and the consequential agreements that came from it , specifically the Anti-Ballistic Missiles agreement, the Interim Treaty and the basic Principles Agreement, that were decided by Nixon and Brezhnev allowed for an improvement in relations as it reduced worries about the other their oppositions nuclear capabilities. This evidence suggests that President Nixon’s involvement in the Cold War was a large reason for détente through how he tried to improve relations with the Soviet Union and reduced nuclear weapons.

Lastly, I believe that China’s involvement with both the USA and the Soviet Union was a large reason for détente in the early 1970’s. Both the Soviet Union and the USA were suspicious of China and their growing power due to how the Chinese had begun testing atomic bombs and nuclear missiles, however, Nixon feared that the two communist nations would reach agreement and become friendly, despite the Sino-Soviet split. Nixon visited China in February 1972, which later led to the American ping-pong team being invited to play matches in China, resulting in ping-pong diplomacy, this trip demonstrated his want for the improvement of relations with the communist superpowers, which then later pushed the Soviet Union to be more open to political propositions from the United States and they were also keen to improve relations with the USA because of how close the country was becoming with China, especially considering how the two communist countries relationship had soured. Without China’s interest in improving relations it’s likely that both USSR and the USA wouldn’t have improved relations through how the Soviet Union’s fear of China and the USA’s relationship pushed them to become closer. This evidence suggests that Chinas involvement and growing power was a main reason for détente through how it pushed for an improvement of relations with communist countries, specifically USA who demonstrated their want for peace through being the first President to visit China and disregard the two China policy.

In conclusion, I agree to a certain extent with the statement ‘Soviet economic problems were the main reason for détente in the early 1970s’ due to how there were many other reasons for the period of improved relations, especially the policies of President Nixon and both the USSR’s and USA’s relations with China instead of the sole reason being Soviet economic problems which pushed the USSR to participate in Détente but had no effect on the USA.