What Is Détente?

Détente is remembered as a timeframe of appeased relations and better communication between the United States, the Soviet Union and China. All countries would presumably benefit from each other through increased trade and improved relations. In order to understand what détente truly was, and why some countries supported it, we must look at Nixon’s strategic approach towards both Russia and China. The détente era also represents the signing of treaties such as SALT, or Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, which ensured the dismantlement of nuclear missiles. All of these events occurred at times of high tensions during the Cold War, while the US was also fighting a war in Vietnam. However, we must ask ourselves: Why did all those countries support
This was first seen through an “unofficial” visit to China by Henry Kissinger in 1971, that would lead the way to orchestrating an official visit by Nixon in 1972, that he declared “changed the world”. It is important to specify that no US president has ever visited Mainland China before Nixon. Since Mao’s takeover, the US had always refused to recognize the communist country. Instead, they supported the Chinese nationalist government in Taiwan. The US had also vetoed China’s entry into the UN, whose Security Council seat was occupied by a Taiwanese official. US sanctions on China were representative of the tense relations between both countries. However, after touring the great wall and sharing drinks amongst Chinese leaders, Nixon dropped the US veto on China and diplomatic relations began to spark. On a stop in Shanghai Nixon stated that “In the years ahead the US and China should build a bridge between each other”, a metaphor for Nixon’s obvious desire to improve his relationship with
A following visit in Moscow was in order after Nixon appeased tensions with China. In May of the same year, Nixon was the first US president to visit Moscow. His visit to his Russian counterpart Leonid Brezhnev, was productive in terms of implementing agreements between both countries. These agreements included the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and the first Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I), which all aimed to reduce the amount of nuclear warheads each country has. Talks also included the possibility of a joint space program “Soyuz-Apollo”. The US initiative of appeasing tensions could also benefit Russia, who could win from less military spending and a possible opening to trade with the international community. The idea of expanding Russia’s economy could seem tempting for Brezhnev, whose country’s living standards were very low. The Soviet Union also feared that tense relations with the US would isolate them from economic activity with many European countries, and prevent them from acquiring new trade agreements and contracts. Many Americans didn’t understand Nixon’s visit to Russia, in part due to the strong anti-communism campaigns ran at the time. Nonetheless, Nixon’s strategy was to make the first step towards re-conciliation, with the Cold and Vietnam War happening, his public ratings were low and military spending through the roof. By supporting