The origins of Détente 1969-1972

The origins of Détente 1969-1972

1. Introduction

   • The Nature of Détente
     • Broadly, Détente refers to a period in which US and USSR attempted to reach general agreement on arms reduction and trade relations
       • Détente also characterised by summits between senior figures and a reduction in hostile propaganda
         • However, détente didnt include any attempt to resolved ideological difference
   • Nixon and Détente
     • Nixon became president in 1969
       • Détente was one of his key policy objectives - therefore is dated as the beginning of his presidency
   • Superpowers and Détente
     • Both sides united in pursuing D in order to avoid a nuclear war
       • 1963-1969 USSR began to close the 'missile gap' with the US
         • By 1969 - arms race had created a situation in which a full scale nuclear war would lead to 'mutually assured destruction' MAD
           • Both sides recognised that it was vital to avoid nuclear war

2. Reasons for the USA to pursue Détente

   • Vietnam
     • N's govt primary objective was the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam
       • Vietnam war had weakened US moral authority as leader of the free world
         • Also very expensive - 1969 alone - cost $30 billion
           • N hoped withdrawal could be achieved, in part, by improving relations with USSR - who had supported the Vietcong since Brezhnev came to power in late 1964
   • Economics
     • By 1970, the 'long post-war boom' was coming to an end
       • Inflation reached 6% in 1970
       • Unemployment rose to more than 5% in early 70s
       • Early 70s witnessed the end of Bretton Woods currency system - system that fixed international exchange rates - the collapse of the system and the introduction of free-floating currencies made international trade less stable - leading to economic difficulties in West
     • Détente offered partial solution to USAs economic concerns, as it had the potential to create a reduction in defence spending and greater trade with USSR
   • Kissinger's realpolitik
     • Nixon govt, particularly Kissinger, committed to 'realpolitik'
       • Détente was an expression of realpolitik, focused on practical issues such as arms reduction, rather than solving ideological differences
         • Realpolitik meant the USA maintaining realistic goals in dealings with China and USSR - rather than pursuing an ideological struggle
   • Normalisation
     • Kissinger believed that process of negotiation could 'normalise' the superpower relationship
       • He believed that détente could create a framework in which the 2 superpowers could work, preventing erratic behaviour on part of the USSR

3. Reasons for the USSR to pursue Détente

   • Economics
     • USSR economy roughly a sixth of the size of the USA's
       • Increasing demands for consumer goods from the population - that the economy could not fulfil
         • Détente allowed Russian leaders to ease economic problems by reducing defence spending and encouraging loans and trade from West
   • Nuclear Parity
     • USSR economy could not produce nuclear weapons as effectively as the USA
       • By end of 69, USA's nuclear arsenal 28200 warheads - USSR held only 11000
         • Détente offered USSR chance of achieving nuclear parity - through treaties that limited nuclear stockpiles of both countries
   • China
     • deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations and USA's increading willingness to negotiate with China caused the Soviet politburo to fear a Sino-US anti-Soviet alliance
       • Détente was an attempt to diffuse this by establishing a working relationship with the USA
   • The Third World
     • Brezhnev was committed to extending Soviet influence in the third world
       • That risked destabilising the US-USSR relationship
         • Détente was an attempt to placate the USA and therefore extend influence in the 3rd world without risking further conflict