Détente (1962 – 72) (Betterment of relationships)

 Détente : a period of peace between two groups that were previously at war or hostile to
each other.

 In June 1963, a direct communication line was set up between Washington and Moscow.
This was called the Hot Line.

 In 1963, the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed by the two Superpowers and Britain.
Limited Test Ban Treaty: The USA and the Soviet government, after the Second
World War started testing their nuclear missiles in deserted zones, to prevent
radioactive fall outs. Under this treaty they agreed to stop anymore nuclear testing that
would release radioactive debris.

 After 1963, 113 countries joined.

 Outer Space Treaty: (Control of outer space, signed by the USA, the USSR, Great Britain
and 12 other countries, in 1967):
1. Exploration and use of outer space should be carried out for the benefit of all countries.
2. States should not launch satellites in orbits of other celestial bodies.
3. The states will be responsible for damage caused by their space objects.
4. The states should avoid harmful contamination of space.

 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (in 1968):

1. By the USA, the USSR, the Great Britain and 59 other countries.
2. This treaty divided the countries into two categories - Nuclear Weapon States (the
USA, the USSR, Great Britain, France), Non-Nuclear Weapon States

 Kennedy was assassinated and replaced by Lyndon B Johnson

 Khrushchev was replaced by Leonid Brezhnev.

Détente in Europe:
 The Eastern and the Western satellite states had to now mend their relationships.
 The USSR and the USA had realised that they could not supress liberal thinking.
 West Germany was to have a newly elected leader, in 1969, Willy Brandt, because it
was under the influence of the USA, a functioning democracy.
 Willy Brandt’s first job was to ease tensions between the east and the west. This
policy of easing tension was called ‘Ostpolitik’.
 A lot of West German countries joined hands with Willy Brandt in this brand of
politics.
 His desire to ease relationships was a boost to the Détente.

Détente in Action
 Signing of the Treaty of SALT I, in May 1972. (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty).
The treaty set was set out in three key areas of agreement:
1. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty: Under this treaty it was decided that both the
sides could have two spots that had missile bases and could have a maximum
of 100 missiles each.
2. Interim Treaty was signed.