GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- The Thaw and moves towards détente, 1963 to 72
The Thaw and moves towards détente, 1963 to 72
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
After coming close to nuclear war in 1962, both superpowers took steps to reduce the danger.
After Cuba
A hotline (1963) linked Washington and Moscow so leaders could talk directly in a crisis.
The Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
The Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
More agreements
The Outer Space Treaty (1967) banned nuclear weapons in space.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) aimed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) aimed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.
SALT
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks began in 1969.
SALT I (1972), signed by Nixon and Brezhnev, limited the number of some nuclear missiles and anti-ballistic missile systems.
This period of eased tension is called détente.
SALT I (1972), signed by Nixon and Brezhnev, limited the number of some nuclear missiles and anti-ballistic missile systems.
This period of eased tension is called détente.
Why did the superpowers set up a hotline in 1963?
- During the Cuban Missile Crisis, messages took hours to arrive.
- Delays could cause dangerous misunderstandings.
- A direct link let leaders talk quickly in a crisis.
Answer: So leaders could communicate instantly and avoid accidental nuclear war.
1963: hotline and Limited Test Ban Treaty. 1967: Outer Space Treaty. 1968: Non-Proliferation Treaty. 1969: SALT talks began; 1972: SALT I signed. This easing of tension is called détente.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.