Why Did Détente Develop Between 1969 and 1979

“Why did détente develop between 1969 and 1979?”

Détente developed between 1969 and 1979 due to improved relations between the USA and the USSR. The end of the Vietnam War improved relations between the USA, USSR and China. Leaders were in contact and numerous summits such as SALT 1 and the Helsinki Accords were held between leaders bringing reform across Europe. The arms race had slowed up as no country had progressed any further from the reality of Mutually Assured Destruction. On top of this there were anti-war and anti-nuclear campaigns throughout The West due to economic, environmental and social reasons. All of these were specific factors contributing to the development of détente between 1969 and 1979.

When the USA’s withdrawal from Vietnam was complete it was clear that the Vietnam War was a defeat for the American policy of containment. It showed that a hard-line approach to communism would not stop a determined revolution, but on the contrary be used as a reason to fuel it. It also became apparent that the domino theory had been proven wrong in this scenario, and that communism in Indochina was an isolated case, having little or no impact on neighbouring and international countries. This contributed to the development of détente as the USA eased their fanatical approach to communism.

The end of the Vietnam War also improved relations between the USA, USSR and China. USA’s President Nixon’s 1972 visit to Chairman Mao in China was an important step in normalising relations between them. The USA also allowed China to become a member of the UN. After the Vietnam War the USA entered a period of greater understanding with the USSR, for the USA became reluctant about involving troops into any conflict they could not easily win. In fact, during détente the USA had better relations with China and the USSR than China and the USSR had with each other.

Opposing leaders actively engaging in negotiations for the first time in the Cold War were crucial in détente’s development. President Nixon took more overseas trips to visit leaders than any other American President before him. Himself, as well as the diplomat Henry Kissinger were seen to be searching for a resolution to the Cold War through multiple negotiations. A telephone line was set up between Moscow and Washington to be used in times of crisis, and in 1975 American astronauts carried out a joint mission with Soviet cosmonauts concluding the space race rivalry. Soviet leader Brezhnev welcomed the idea of détente and both expressed their reasons to ease tension openly.

The success of summits such as SALT 1 and the Helsinki Accords resulted in reformation and cooperation between superpowers and in Europe. SALT 1 was signed regarding the issue of armament control. SALT 1 led to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and an interim agreement between the two powers. The Helsinki Accords was the final act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation. When it was finished, all countries involved recognised the borders set out after the Second World War. Countries also agreed to respect human rights which included allowing freedom of speech and the freedom to move from one country to another.

In 1963 The Cuban Missile Crisis proved that Mutually Assured Destruction was a reality. While MAD remained a reality both superpowers expressed openly that it was not in their interests to allow such a scenario to take place again. Robert McNamara highlighted in his formulation of MAD that the arms race was in part an attempt to make sure that no nation gained first strike capability, and this continued through the years of détente. With the introduction of nuclear submarines on both sides the possibility of a first strike capability was less worthy of consideration. MAD as a concept was essential in keeping peace throughout the duration of the entire Cold War, as well as through détente.

Following opposition to American involvement in Vietnam, much of the American population had become anti-war with growing opposition to nuclear tests and American military involvement in foreign nations. Western culture did not fear communism in the 1970s to the same extent as opposed to the 1950s, when the American culture were far more susceptible to government propaganda. The failures of the government regarding Vietnam, the civil rights movement and feminism had produced a rebellious generation that stood for the promotion of human rights and world peace. These movements supported détente.

Détente developed thanks to a collaboration of specific social, political and economic events on both sides. Although as discussed there were no outstanding reasons as to why détente occurred, opposition to the Cold War on both sides argued that money could be better spent in other areas as the arms race was increasingly becoming an economic burden with each new improvement proving to be more expensive than the last. This particularly affected the USSR, who was experiencing economical trouble at this time. However, it is clear that despite the ongoing Cold War relations between superpowers did improve and this was the main reason that détente developed between the years 1969 and 1979.