0
helpfulAnswer:
Answer explained below.Step-by-step explanation:
Détente was a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, characterized by a reduction in tensions and an emphasis on cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The term "détente" comes from the French word meaning "relaxation."
Détente was a significant departure from the previous US foreign policy of containment, which had focused on containing Soviet expansionism through military alliances and the threat of force. Instead, détente emphasized diplomacy, negotiation, and arms control as a means of reducing tensions between the two superpowers.
Under the Nixon administration, détente built on the approaches of the previous two administrations by pursuing a policy of engagement with communist nations. Nixon's approach, however, departed from his predecessors by emphasizing the importance of bilateral negotiations and direct diplomacy with the Soviet Union and China.
Nixon's approach was marked by several key achievements, including the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT), which placed limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons each superpower could possess. The two superpowers also agreed to establish a hotline between the White House and the Kremlin to facilitate communication in times of crisis.
Another significant achievement of détente was the normalization of relations between the United States and China. In 1972, Nixon made a historic visit to China, paving the way for increased economic and diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.
However, détente had several limitations as well. One of the most significant limitations was the lack of progress on human rights issues, particularly in the Soviet Union. Critics of détente argued that the United States had made too many concessions to the Soviet Union without obtaining any meaningful concessions in return.
Détente also faced significant challenges from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which strained relations between the two superpowers and led to a renewed period of tension in the Cold War.
Hence, it can be concluded that Détente was a significant shift in US foreign policy during the Cold War, emphasizing diplomacy, negotiation, and arms control as a means of reducing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Nixon's approach to communism built on the approaches of his predecessors, but departed from them by emphasizing bilateral negotiations and direct diplomacy. While détente achieved several significant successes, it also had limitations and faced significant challenges during the period.
rating
Get help with homework
