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causes of détente - Coggle Diagram
causes of détente
VIETNAM WAR
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Failure for USA to win, USSR believed equal in terms of nuclear weapons and a détente would mean USA could not race ahead
showed military intervention isn't always the best way to conduct foreign policy as many lives lost and billions spent
CHINA
Sino-soviet split pushed USSR to agreement with the west. Meaning if there was conflict in china the USSR believed the USA would not get involved. Making relations more stable.
USA concerned over the growing power of china as tested first atomic bomb 19964 and nuclear missile 1966. Although relations between china and USSR were poor concerned if two communist countries reached agreement could threaten USA.But if USA friendly with chins could force them into agreement
Mao accused Khrushchev of cowardice during Cuban missile crisis and complained attack on Czechoslovakia was an attack on fellow communist state.1969 fighting had broke out on border and could risk in war so Mao decided to adopt friendly approach with USSR rival the USA.
The previous poor relations between USA and China were ready to improve by 1969 as Chinas suspicions for USSR growing.
both entered world table tennis championships in japan had friendly contact so invited to play matches in china. Henry Kissinger secretary of state went to china and met Chinese prime minister Zhou En-lai. Had series of meetings and established friendly relations
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NIXONS AIMS
would allow America to invest more resources to itself and financial services. As western Europe was becoming a serious rival.
determined to take country out of the Vietnam war cost $170 billion need to spend money on problems at home eg inequality between black and white, rich and poor which have led to urban rioting and assassination of Martin Luther king.
More interested in foreign policy than domestic affairs. Wanted to reduce superpower tensions and establish relation's with china.
ARMS RACE
Resources would be able to be released from military budget to improve the lives of the American people,
USSR had to divert money away from the military. Found hard to maintain living standards and consumer goods demands during arms race.
Economic growth rate in USSR had fallen from 7% in 1950s to 3% in 1970s wanted to stop spending as much on arms.
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FEAR OF WAR
Cuban missile crisis in 1962 highlighted dangers of superpower confrontation was likely to result in nuclear war. This would destroy the world.
Agreements made to prevent war in the future: Hotline 1963, Limited test ban treaty 1963, Outer space treaty 1967, Nuclear non proliferation treaty 1968.
EUROPE
Eastern foreign policy known as Ostpolitik opened up channels between eastern and western Europe developing links between the two. Showed more cooperation than confrontation
USSR believed better relations with the USA would stabilize their control on eastern Europe and hoped gain recognition of communism of eastern world from west.
Brandt west German politician took lead in promoting links between east and west. Making links to try to start to get rid of cold war divisions.
NIXON AND KISSINGER
Both had established connections are anti-communists in USA allowing them to have large amount right wing support
Trade and arms agreements seen as method of restraining USSR .Repprochement of china allowed policy to be seen as one that weakened communism rather than giving into communism.
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