How Did Détente Change the Cold War?

Détente is a French word that means "relaxation." It describes a time when the United States and the Soviet Union improved their relationship during the Cold War. This happened mostly from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. Instead of fighting directly, these two superpowers started to talk and negotiate, which changed how the Cold War worked.

Background to Détente

The Cold War began after World War II. It was a battle of ideas between the capitalist West, led by the United States, and the communist East, led by the Soviet Union. By the late 1960s, both sides were building up nuclear weapons, with the U.S. having about 24,000 and the Soviet Union around 10,000. The fear of mutual destruction made it clear that they needed to communicate more to avoid a major disaster.

Key Events in Détente

1. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT):

   • In 1969, the U.S. and Soviet Union started formal talks to limit their nuclear weapons.
   • SALT I was signed in 1972 and limited the number of certain types of missiles they could have.
   • This agreement helped make the situation with weapons more stable.

2. Nixon's Visit to China (1972):

   • President Richard Nixon visited China, which changed the balance of power during the Cold War.
   • This visit was also a way to use China's relationship to balance against the Soviet Union.

3. Helsinki Accords (1975):

   • The Helsinki Accords came from a meeting with 35 countries, including the U.S. and USSR.
   • The accords aimed to strengthen relations between Eastern and Western countries.
   • They also included promises to respect human rights, which later helped inspire movements that wanted more freedom in Eastern Europe.

How Détente Affected the Cold War

1. Less Tension:

   • Détente led to a big drop in military confrontations.
   • For example, U.S. military spending went down from about 9% of its economy in 1968 to about 5% by 1978.
   • There were also fewer direct military fights during this time.

2. Trade and Technology Exchanges:

   • Trade between the U.S. and the Soviet Union grew because of détente, increasing from $1 billion in 1972 to about$4 billion by 1978.
   • This trade made relations more stable, though some people in both countries didn't like it.

3. Military Spending Still Continued:

   • Even with détente, both countries kept spending on their military.
   • In 1972, the U.S. spent around $28 billion on defense, and this amount went up under President Jimmy Carter.
   • New weapons and technology were still being developed, showing that even though there were fewer weapons, tensions were still present.

4. Decline of Détente:

   • Détente started to fade after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979.
   • In response, the U.S. increased its military budget by over $100 billion and boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics, showing a return to tension.

Conclusion

Détente changed the Cold War by encouraging diplomacy and arms control. It reduced some immediate tensions and allowed for some economic exchanges. But it didn’t eliminate the deep disagreements between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. These complexities continued on into the 1980s. The mix of cooperation and competition from this time still impacts how countries interact with each other today.