What do you understand by the term "dtente", & how successful was its application during the Cold War period?

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Manav Thakral

November 17, 2002

Period 3. I.B History

What do you understand by the term “détente”, & how successful was its application during the Cold War period?

After World War II, a struggle for ideological, economic & military global supremacy between the USA and her allies, & the U.S.S.R and her allies emerged. The struggle, known as the Cold War, was never a direct confrontation between the super powers but rather a difference in ideology and clash of expansionist ambitions. Through the years, it became apparent that the Americanization of Western Europe opposed the Sovietization of Eastern Europe in which both used spheres of interest in order to maintain their supremacy.

By the 1950’s, both superpowers realized that Détente reduced the chances of a nuclear war, it gave economic opportunities by opening new markets and allowed management of the Globalization of the Cold War. Détente is the continuing process for managing relations between rivals and it was established through meetings, agreements, treaties and joint activities.  Arms Control Agreements which include, the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty, SALT I & SALT 2, Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty and START, effectively contained and managed the spread of Nuclear Weapons However, Détente was more than simply a process of containing and reducing nuclear weapons. It gave way to peaceful coexistence in the 1950’s between U.S.S.R and the U.S, Ostpolitik in the late 1960’s between the Federal Republic of Germany and the East Bloc, 70’s Détente and Arms Control Agreement between East and West powers and the Sino-American Rapprochement in the 1970’s. Although, nations still had nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them, détente allowed the two superpowers coexist regardless of their differences.

“Peaceful Coexistence” was initiated by the U.S.S.R in the 1950’s and was first mentioned Khrushev secret speech in 1956. It called for peaceful coexistence with the West, destlalinzation of post-world war countries and claimed that Communism could be achieved through the ballot box. Even though the speech was made to the Russian Politburo, it was directed to the west and is a clear example of Khrushchev reaching out. In 1955, a meeting between of head of states from U.K, France, U.S and the U.S.S.R were looking for a solution for Germany but none could be found. Still, it is significant in that it was a signal that these countries were willing to talk, meet and interact.  The Suez Crisis in 1956 is another example of improving relations between the U.S and U.S.S.R. The nationalization of the Suez Canal in Egypt by President Nasser was used as an excuse by Britain, France and Israel to invade Egypt. The U.S and U.S.S.R had similar intentions because they did not want any influence in the Middle East except their own. The “Thaw” in the cold war was improvements made in East-West relations in 1959. Leaders of both nations exchanged visits to demonstrate further willingness to cooperate. The secret speech, the 1955 Geneva Summit, the 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1959 ‘Thaw’ of the Cold War are all examples of the efforts and agreements made in “Peaceful Coexistence” that demonstrated their willingness to East-West dialogue.

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In addition to “Peaceful Coexistence”, Ostpolitik in early 1970’s also helped with Détente. An initiative of Willy Brandt, chancellor of West Germany, its short-term goal was to normalize and improve relations between West Germany and the East Bloc and its long term goal was the reunification of Germany. It was because of Brandt’s new policy, President Johnson’s speech 1966 concerning a possible reunification of Germany would be “a result of détente, not a prerequisite,” French ambitions to improve relations and trade with the U.S.S.R and NATO’s “flexible response” posture which states that since Warsaw Pact had greater non-nuclear forces, NATO ...

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