SALT Agreements: Shaping US-Soviet Relations
TITLE
Assess the extent to which the SALT agreements affected US–Soviet relations.
ESSAY
The SALT agreements, initiated by President Johnson in 1967 and signed by President Nixon in 1979, had both positive and negative effects on US-Soviet relations. While these agreements marked a significant step towards limiting the number of nuclear weapons and promoting stability between the two superpowers, they also highlighted the underlying tensions and disagreements that persisted throughout this period.
The first round of SALT talks, known as SALT I, resulted in the signing of the ABM Treaty and interim SALT agreement in 1972. This marked a significant shift in US-Soviet relations, as it was the first time during the Cold War that the two nations had agreed to limit the number of nuclear weapons in their arsenals. This era of détente, or relaxation of tensions, was further reinforced by trade agreements and diplomatic visits between the two leaders. The negotiations for a second round of SALT talks, known as SALT II, began in 1974 and ultimately led to the signing of the SALT II Treaty in 1979.
SALT II placed further limitations on nuclear forces and introduced restrictions on deployed strategic nuclear forces. Despite facing opposition from critics, President Carter and Soviet leader Brezhnev pledged to adhere to SALT II's terms. However, the treaty was never ratified by the United States, largely due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent deterioration of US-Soviet relations. This event, along with other factors such as the Yom Kippur War and the USA's improved relations with China, highlighted the continued underlying tensions between the two superpowers.
The SALT agreements did have positive effects on US-Soviet relations. They marked a significant step towards limiting the arms race and promoting stability between the two nations. The negotiations and agreements also demonstrated a willingness on both sides to engage in diplomatic dialogue and find common ground. The era of détente, evident in the trade agreements and diplomatic visits, further contributed to a more stable relationship between the superpowers.
However, the SALT agreements also exposed areas of disagreement and ongoing tensions. The failure to reach consensus on certain issues, such as the deployment of MIRVs and the total number of warheads, revealed the underlying mistrust and competition that persisted between the US and USSR. Other events, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, further strained relations and ultimately led to the non-ratification of SALT II by the United States.
In conclusion, while the SALT agreements had some positive effects on US-Soviet relations, such as limiting nuclear weapons and promoting stability, they also highlighted the deeper tensions and conflicts that continued to exist between the two superpowers. These agreements were an important step towards arms control, but they ultimately could not overcome the underlying mistrust and competition between the US and USSR.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
A Level
NOTES
Assess the extent to which the SALT agreements affected US–Soviet relations. President Johnson initiated the SALT I talks in 1967 and met Kosygin in New Jersey. He wanted the ABM race controlled and Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, argued that reacting to the other side’s escalation was insane and that limiting the development of both offensive and defensive strategic systems would make relations between the two countries more stable. Richard Nixon, also believed in SALT and the formal SALT talks began in Helsinki on 17 November 1969. Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev signed the ABM Treaty and interim SALT agreement on 26 May 1972 in Moscow. Positive effects include the fact that for the first time during the Cold War, the United States and USSR had agreed to limit the number of nuclear missiles in their arsenals and had been prepared to negotiate. The two superpowers had entered the era of détente showing restraint. This was reflected in trade agreements and Nixon’s visit to Moscow in 1972 and 1974, and Brezhnev’s visit to Washington in 1973. Negotiations for a second round of SALT had already begun in late 1972. They continued through the Nixon, Ford, and Carter administrations. At the November 1974 Vladivostok Summit, Ford and Brezhnev agreed on the basic framework of a SALT II agreement which included a 2400 limit on strategic nuclear delivery vehicles (ICBMs, SLBMs, and heavy bombers) for each side; a 1320 limit on MIRV systems; a ban on new land-based ICBM launchers; and limits on deployment of new types of strategic offensive arms. On 17 June 1979, Carter and Brezhnev signed the SALT II Treaty in Vienna. SALT II limited both nations’ nuclear forces and placed a variety of other restrictions on deployed strategic nuclear forces. SALT II initially focused on limiting, and then ultimately reducing, the number of MIRVs. Both Washington and Moscow subsequently pledged to adhere to the SALT II’s terms even though the treaty was not ratified. Ronald Reagan, a strong critic of SALT II during the 1980 presidential campaign, agreed to abide by SALT II until it expired in December 1985. However, areas of disagreement remained resulting in SALT II never being ratified. SALT I was an important beginning, but it did not prevent each side from deploying Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicles (MIRVs) onto their ICBMs and SLBMs. They also failed to agree on the number of strategic bombers and the total number of warheads in each nation’s arsenal. US–Soviet tension continued. Other factors continued to affect relations between the two superpowers. The 1973 Yom Kippur War drew them to the brink of confrontation and the USA’s improved relations with China aroused hostility and suspicion from the USSR. Even after the Vladivostok agreements in 1974, the two nations could not resolve the two other outstanding issues from SALT I: the number of strategic bombers and the total number of warheads in each nation’s arsenal. Moreover, a broad coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats became more concerned about the Soviet suppression of internal dissent, its increasingly interventionist foreign policies, and the verification process outlined in the Treaty. On 25 December 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, and on 3 January 1980, Carter asked the Senate not to consider SALT II for its advice and consent, and it was never ratified. The United States boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and the USSR retaliated by boycotting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.