New
New
Year 11
AQA
The reasons for Détente
I can explain the reasons for Détente.
New
New
Year 11
AQA
The reasons for Détente
I can explain the reasons for Détente.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Détente began between the US and USSR in the early 1970s.
- New leaders in both superpowers helped encourage Détente.
- The USA and USSR hoped to address domestic social and economic issues.
- Nixon believed Détente could help the US end its war in Vietnam.
- Brezhnev was concerned to ensure the US and Chinese did not co-operate against the USSR.
Keywords
Détente - the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another
Domestic - issues that exist within a country, rather than those related to its relationship with foreign countries
Sino - relates to China
Common misconception
The USSR was in favout of the US decision to improve relations with communist China.
Because of the Sino-Soviet split, the Soviets worried that improved US-China relations might lead them to form an anti-Soviet alliance.
Ask students whether the timing of the beginning of Détente suggests that Nixon had a more important role in encouraging the process than Brezhnev did? Students may discuss this in pairs before participating in a broader discussion.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
What were the severe Soviet prisons, where prisoners had to perform forced labour, called?
Q2.
Write the missing words: ABMs and MIRVs were developed as part of the in the 1960s and 1970s.
Q3.
Which superpower fought in the Vietnam War?
Q4.
In which country was the SSSJ founded?
China
USSR
Q5.
How did censorship change under Brezhnev?
became less common than under Khrushchev
remained as common as under Khrushchev
Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Write the missing word: refers to the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another.
Q2.
Which two leaders were involved in Détente?
Lyndon B Johnson
Nikita Khrushchev
Q3.
How much was the US spending on its militray and space programme in 1968?
$20.1 billion
$40.3 billion
$60.2 billion
Q4.
Which of the following was a domestic motive for Détente?
Sino-Soviet split
US war in Vietnam
Q5.
Why did Nixon want to improve US relations with China and the USSR?
So they would stop fighting against US forces in Vietnam.
So they would send troops to fight alongside the US in Vietnam.
Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Additional material
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