- •We’re then going to look at moves in both Western and Eastern Europe towards détente in the period
- •I will finally offer some conclusions.
- •Post-Cuba these pressures became stronger
- •There have been critical voices debating how real the thaw was or not
- •Still in general it was good that the Test Ban Treaty had been concluded – moves away from the idea of general ‘hot’ war between the two sides
- •De Gaulle’s policies linked to other Western European criticism of the cold war status quo
- •One final Western European policy which moved towards détente was the policy of the West German Chancellor, Willy Brandt often called Ostpolitik (or Eastern policy)
- •Europe very important in the move towards détente then
- •A major breakthrough in ussr-Soviet relations came with the signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968
- •Whilst there were moves towards détente during this period there were also other important international events which limited these moves
- •If the Soviets moved away from good behaviour they were to be punished – this policy would be used to great effect with the Soviets but also with the Chinese, we will have a look at that a bit later.
- •From July 1963 the Soviets and the Chinese decided not to set a date for future relations – Sino-Soviet split
- •Mao’s cultural revolution from 1965-9 further increased the difference between the two powers –
- •In July 1971 it was announced that Richard Nixon would be visiting China – from a position of enmity to normalisation of diplomatic relations within a couple of years
- •Moscow summit – May 1972
From July 1963 the Soviets and the Chinese decided not to set a date for future relations – Sino-Soviet split
China from 1963 onwards takes a number of actions to irritate the Soviets, it aimed to do treaties with members of the Eastern bloc (we have seen that it worked with Albania but it also supported Romania’s moves to move away from the Soviets).
Escalation between the two powers. China criticises K during the Cuban missile crisis and the Test Ban Treaty, and went ahead and developed their own bomb despite the irritation of the Soviets – explode their first test bomb in 1964.
Chinese foreign policy tried to get as many people on their side. Chinese prime minister Zhou Enlai travelled round 12 countries in 1963-4 trying to get support. China still not as strong an ally as the Soviets – not that much success. Although it was able to support the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam war.
Mao’s cultural revolution from 1965-9 further increased the difference between the two powers –
Mao turned against the bourgeois (or supposed bourgeois) elements within his own society, marxist red guards go round and challenge both normal chinese as well as moderates within Chinese society, purge of important figures in the Chinese hierarchy and many thousands of other deaths.
This increased radicalism at home began to affect foreign relations, British and most crucially the Soviet foreign embassy was attacked in 1967, ambassadors were recalled – increased tension China-Soviets.
World begins to fear China – LBJ treats it as a pariah.
China-Soviets – from 1966 no contact whatsoever – minor border shuffles on the Sino-Soviet border 1966, and again in 1968, increase of Soviet troops on the border – increasing likelihood of general war between Russia and China.
March 1969 – Sino-Soviet relations Large scale fighting on Zhien Bao island –on the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers
Chinese kill 20 Soviet troops (China and the USA move together)Mao didn’t want to enter a massive conflict with the Soviets
6 months of tension on the border, by the end of September 1969 – 100 killed on both sides – ceasefire called but still tension. Soviets at one point even think about hitting Chinese nuclear facilities
This situation between the two opened the way for the United States to play triangular diplomacy = exploit the situation to their advantage
Nixon and the states much closer to USSR than it was to China – worries about China’s ideological stance, support of North Vietnam, North Korea beforehand but Nixon wants to do a deal with China – so that he could put pressure on the Soviet Union – Chinese fear the Soviets more than the Americans – The Opening to China
China ready to reconsider their realtions with the Americans but still lots of mistrust remains between the two sides
Kissinger wants to make sure that the Chinese work with them – can’t move to slowly, Can’t move too quick as it might have brought a Soviet attack on China
Trade relations relaxed in 1969 by the States– worries over rapprochement
Chinese in 1971 – invite an American table tennis team to Beijing – so-called Ping-Pong diplomacy
Kissinger to China in secret July 1971 via Pakistan, prepares the visit of Nixon in 1972
From a position of mortal enemies – US diplomacy had opened the door to China – amazing success
American diplomatic policy and the Sino-Soviet split had thus laid the basis for détente between the United States/China and the Soviet Union.