Détente
THEN THE UN
INTRO
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Relaxation of
tension
Both between US
and Soviets and
US and China
Replaced with
Second Cold War
in 1980
Caused by
growing
awareness of
dangers of
nuclear war
Reasons for Détente
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USSR need to
heal stagnating
economy,
improve
standard of
living
Need for
consumer
goods, Western
technology
Deteriorating
relationship with
China
Reasons for Détente
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USA needed to end
Vietnam
Realpolitik
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Focused on
practical factors, not
just ideology
Focus on American
economy
China worried
about international
isolation
•
Wanted to get back
at Soviets
Reasons for Détente
•
Instability in
Europe
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Soviet invasion of
Czech.
Riots in France
Continent would
benefit from
reduction of
tensions, Ostpolitik
Soviets wanted
Western
acceptance of two
Germanys and
their territorial
possessions in
Eastern Europe
Successes of Détente
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Several agreements
after Cuban Missile
Crisis
SALT I, 1972
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ABM Treaty
Interim Treaty
Basic Principles
Agreement
SALT II, 1979
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Limit on strategic
nuclear delivery
vehicles
Ban on testing
ICBMs
Agreements from
Détente
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Treaties of 1970s in
Germany
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Moscow Treaty
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Final Quadripartite
Protocol
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Recognized both
Germanys
Improvements with
China
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West had legal
basis for access
routes
Basic Treaty
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Recognized
German borders
China joined UN
Travel restrictions lifted
Sporting events
Nixon visit
Triangular Diplomacy
HELSINKI
AGREEMENT
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Helsinki
Agreement
finalized in 1975
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Basket 1
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Basket 2
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European borders
recognized
Closer ties
Basket 3
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Human rights
Most controversial
inside USSR
Détente Under
Pressure
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Many thought arms
agreements were
benefiting the Soviets
Soviets still
expanding in Africa
and Middle East
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Knew about Egypt’s
intentions in Yom
Kippur War, 1973
Involved in Angola
Civil War
Supported Ethiopia
against Somalia
Disillusionment with
human rights basket
of Helsinki
Détente’s Collapse
•
Collapsed with
Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan in
1979
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Carter refused to
approve SALT II
Carter Doctrine
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Promised
intervention if
Soviets
threatened
Persian Gulf
Not really a failure
•
Right wing does
consider it a Soviet
trick
SECOND COLD WAR
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Ronald Reagan reasserts
anti-Communism
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Defense spending increases
•
New nuclear weapons
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Star Wars
•
Reagan Doctrine
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Aid to anti-Communist
insurgents and governments
Called Soviets evil empire
Instability with Soviet
leaders
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Brezhnev died, Andropov ill,
Chernenko dies
•
Soviets shooting down
Korean airliner
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Would change with
Gorbachev in 1985
THE COLD
WAR AND
THE UN
A COMEDY
BACKGROUND
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Same purpose as
League of Nations
Want to actually do
some
peacekeeping
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Collective security
General Assembly
a forum
Security Council
really in charge
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Soviets accept
Western domination
of this with veto
power
PRINCIPLES
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Both superpowers
concerned over
sovereignty
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Collective security
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Regional principle
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Association principle
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Early optimism ended
with the Cold War
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US had thought it would
support their objectives
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Soviets had thought it
would be to free people
from capitalist
exploitation
EMERGENCE OF THE
COLD WAR
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Reality was a divided
world
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Two superpowers
working against one
another
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No collective response
to Soviet occupations
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Nor against the
Truman Doctrine
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No alternative to
Marshall Plan, Berlin
Airlift
Had to become a
mediator to remain
relevant
UN AND THE 50S
• Both sides fearful of the UN
• China not involved, USSR boycotting when Korea begins
• Korean War 1950-53
• June, UN sends in a military force responding to invasion
• US shows faith by fighting under its flag, USSR not present
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Mockery of collective security
• UN force primarily American
• August, USSR returned as president of the Council
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American objective had changed to taking North
US was able to change collective security decisions to the
General Assembly
Able to call for China to remove itself from conflict
Somewhat successful, Soviets become distrustful
UN AND THE 50S
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Suez Canal Crisis, 1956
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Seen more favorably, new direction, act before military response
Egyptian President Nasser, had received American backing, but
then took arms from Czechoslovakia
• He nationalized Suez Canal, had been built by French and
part-owned by Britain
British initiate a plan for Israelis to take it back, Oct. 1956
• Eisenhower not informed, furious
• US draft for Security Council called for immediate
withdrawal, criticism of Britain and France, Britain vetoed
Nov. UN Emergency Force created with forces outside of
Security Council, limited mandate
Soviets still concerned about transfer of power to GA, but further
embarrassment to the West
British and French troops withdrawn
UN AND THE 50S
• Hungarian Uprising, 1956
• Happened at the same time as Suez Canal Crisis
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UN attention diverted
• Hungary requested UN assistance in removing Soviets,
but USSR vetoed it
• Committee set up to investigate, Soviets refused to
cooperate
•
UN powerless
• Demonstrated superpowers were beyond the control of the
UN
• Impact of the first decade
• Successes very limited
• US overthrows of Iranian and Guatemalan government
UN and the 60s – The
Congo
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Congo under colonial rule of Belgium until 1960
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Not prepared
Domestic crisis, PM Lumumba and Pres. Kasavubu
asked for help, national army had mutinied
• Belgian population remained, so their army sent in for
protection
• Local leader of Katanga province declared independence,
potentially under influence of British and French
UN response
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Security force to oversee Belgian withdrawal, reluctant
Neither US or USSR saw this of vital interest
Security force would have to go past peacekeeping role
UN and the 60s – The
Congo
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Soviet interest
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UN provides limited involvement, criticized by Lumumba,
who is now anti-Western
USSR now interested, saw an opportunity to work with
him
Pres. Kasavubu dismissed him. Lumumba dismissed
Kasavubu
Decided to close airfields and radio station
Lumumba hurt by this, UN seen as pro-Western
Crisis becoming ideological, USSR denounces UN
Khrushchev seeking troika, instead of Sec. Gen.
UN and the 60s – The
Congo
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Crisis intensifies
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Late Sept. superpower involvement imminent
Army announced a coup against the government, but then allied with
Pres.
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Lumumba asks for aid from UN, not USSR thankfully
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Lumumba captured, murdered, UN protection had been poor, very
convenient for the West
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Many nations withdrew from Security Force
UN authorizes force
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Katanga now the key issue, UN has authorized force to prevent fullscale civil war, unclear role here
Katanga ignored all negotiation efforts, UN crushed secession
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Security Council not consulted
Non-aligned bloc gaining influence
But then leader of Katanga elected PM, army head, Mobutu, became
Head of State
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Regime created by the UN, one of the most corrupt in the world
UN and Détente
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Meant US and USSR
ready to look for
agreement
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UN structure had
changed to nonaligned states
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Soviets now more
comfortable
Limited successes in
Kashmir and Cyprus
Then powerless in
Czech., Chile
UN AND THE
CONCLUSION OF THE
COLD WAR
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Second Cold War revealed
dependence
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End of the Cold War
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Rise of peacekeeping
missions
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Somalia, Bosnia
Legacy
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Continued limitations of
collective security
Conclusion
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Soviets initially suspicious,
but more accepting
throughout 60s
Never really empowered
because of Cold War
situation
Still problems controlling
the USA today
PAPER 2 PRACTICE
Outline the following.
1.What were the key causes of Sino-American hostility from
1949 to 1970?
2.To what extent can détente be seen as a failure?
3.How did the rivalry between the USA and the USSR affect
the working of the United Nations?