Notes for World History
DETENTE: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FROM 1970s TO 1990s (1)
- The word ‘détente’ is used to mean a permanent relaxation of tensions between East and West.
- The first real signs of détente could be seen in the early 1975. Détente eventually led to the end of the Cold War.
Reasons for détente:
- Fear of catastrophic nuclear war by both the opposing sides i.e US and USSR blocs.
- Both sides were sickened by the horrors of Vietnam.
- The USSR was finding the expense of keeping up with the American arms race crippling for their economy.
- The Americans realized that there must be a better way of coping with communism.
- The Chinese were anxious about their isolation.
