Detente

```mediawiki Détente is a term used to describe the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation. The term originates from the French word meaning "relaxation" and is often used to refer to the period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Historical Context

Détente is most commonly associated with the period from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. This era saw a thawing of the Cold War tensions that had dominated international relations since the end of World War II. The policy of détente was characterized by increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural contacts and a desire to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

Key Events

Several key events and agreements marked the period of détente:

• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968, which aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.
• The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and the resulting Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) of 1972, which limited the number of anti-ballistic missile systems used in defending areas against missile-delivered nuclear weapons.
• The Helsinki Accords of 1975, which were a major diplomatic agreement signed by 35 nations that concluded the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE).

Major Figures

Several key political figures were instrumental in the process of détente:

• Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, who pursued a policy of détente with the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China.
• Henry Kissinger, the United States Secretary of State under Nixon, who played a significant role in negotiating arms control agreements.
• Leonid Brezhnev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who was a key figure in Soviet foreign policy during this period.

Impact and Legacy

The period of détente had a significant impact on international relations. It led to a temporary easing of Cold War tensions and established a framework for future arms control agreements. However, the period of détente came to an end in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as tensions between the superpowers increased once again, particularly following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

Related Pages

• Cold War
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
• Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
• Helsinki Accords
• Richard Nixon
• Henry Kissinger
• Leonid Brezhnev
• Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

See Also

• Arms control
• Nuclear disarmament
• East-West relations

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