Colour code the cards according to why the US and Soviet Union pursued a policy of détente.

Complete the questions on the bottom of the sheet.

The Soviet Union and USA
had enough long-distance
weapons to destroy each
other. Any war would be
MAD (Mutually Assured
Destruction). Neither country
wanted to risk a war.
People in America were
calling for civil rights and
women’s equality. Hey
wanted the US to take a less
active role in international
affairs.
There were large-scale
demonstrations against
Vietnam and the level of
social inequality, particularly
between blacks and whites.
1. Describe détente.
Détente – The easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries.
The new US president,
Richard Nixon, came to
power in 1968 during the
bloody Vietnam War. He
wanted to concentrate on
ending the conflict rather
than having further conflict
with the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union had a
stagnant economy for several
years and needed to reinvest
in industry, rather than
spending most of their money
on expensive nuclear
weapons.
US REASONS FOR DÉTENTE
SOVIET REASONS FOR DÉTENTE
JOINT REASONS FOR DÉTENTE
The Soviet Union had poor
living standards in this period.
They wanted to increase
housing and leisure for their
citizens.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
showed that even if the
leaders did not want war, one
could nearly break out by
mistake. During the 1970s,
there was an attempt to have
a more stable relationship.
This was known as détente.

2. What, in your opinion, was the main reason for the Soviets pursuing a policy of détente
and why?
In my opinion the main reason for the Soviets pursuing a policy of détente was
because the Soviet Union had a stagnant economy for several years and needed to
reinvest to industry, rather than spending most of their money on expensive nuclear
weapons.

3. What, in your opinion, was the main reason for the US pursuing a policy of détente and
why?
In my opinion the main reason for the US pursuing a policy of détente was because
the US president, Richard Nixon said he wanted to concentrate on ending the conflict
rather than having further conflict with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union and USA
had enough long-distance weapons to destroy each other so both the Soviet and USA
would have ended up in the same way.