Superpower Relations 1962-79

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George Perez Trunin

In what ways did relations between the USA and USSR change in the years 1962-79?

During the years 1962-79, it was a period of disaster in worsening relations between the USA & USSR. It was during this time that the superpowers had been at the highest point destruction, each trying to improve its weapon technology and defence such as SDI.

The first event was the Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation between the USSR, USA and Cuba and it was the most dangerous moment in the whole of the Cold War as it nearly threatened a nuclear war. The reason for the outbreak was that the USA thought that Russia was preparing to strike the USA by placing nuclear missile launchers in Cuba that were within reach the most of the USA; the Americans feared this so they asked the Soviet Union to remove them, but when the USSR refused to remove the missiles; President Kennedy decided to blockade Cuba with 180 ships and submarines. There was a big risk that World War Three might start if a Russian refused to stop although none fortunately did!

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After this crisis was sorted out the two superpowers decided to try and come to some arms limitation agreements, these was called the SALT talks and it had been the first step forward on arm limitations between the USSR and the USA which showed that their relations were improving. This agreement however did not really stop the arms race but just reduced the production of arms in certain areas, although it did show that they could at least sit down and try to reduce tension during the Cold War, unfortunately though the next SALT II agreements were not made ...

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