The Cold War. What were the reasons for Dtente 1962-1979?

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What were the reasons for Détente 1962-1979?

Détente is a French word that means ‘A relax in tensions’ and it is a period of time that occurred between the USSR and The USA 1962-1979.

        The start of détente in 1962 was triggered by the Cuban Missile Crisis. Here, U2 spy planes from the USA spotted nuclear missile sites and freight ships carrying nuclear missiles from the USSR to Cuba. These missiles would be in striking range to the majority of the USA. Russia pulled back just in time after the USA threatened to sink any ships and destroy any base with their naval blockade surrounding Cuba. Neither side wanted nuclear war; détente was born.

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        Each superpower had their own reasons for détente. These ranged from economical factors to political factors. Both sides, however, had a couple of shared motives; the first being that both leaders needed to decrease defence spending. The USSR was spending 20% of their annual budget on defence. This money needed to be used to improve living conditions and improve industrial efficiency in particular. The USA also needed to improve living conditions for their poor citizens and had to deal with added inflation also.

        The USSR and the USA also needed détente for their own reasons. As détente progresses, the USSR ...

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