Détente facts for kids
Détente (pronounced day-tont) is a French word that means "relaxing" or "loosening." In world history, it describes a time when countries that were enemies started to get along better. They tried to reduce tension and improve their relationship.
The most famous example of détente happened during the Cold War. This was a long period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the 1970s, both countries worked to ease their disagreements.
Contents
What Was the Cold War?
The Cold War was a period of political and military tension. It lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until 1991. The main rivals were the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its allies. They never fought directly, but they competed in many ways. This included an arms race, where both sides built many nuclear weapons. People worried that a real war could lead to nuclear destruction.
Détente in Action: The 1970s
During the 1970s, the United States and the Soviet Union tried to improve their relationship. This was the main period of détente. Leaders from both sides met and talked. They signed several important treaties. These agreements aimed to limit the number of nuclear weapons each country had. This helped reduce the risk of a nuclear war.
"Playing the China Card"
During this time, China and the Soviet Union were not getting along. The United States saw an opportunity. It tried to make friends with China. This move was called "playing the China card." By becoming closer to China, the United States put more pressure on the Soviet Union. This gave the US an advantage in the Cold War.
Other Countries Involved
While the US and Soviet Union were key, other countries also helped détente. West Germany and many other European states played a role. Their reasons for wanting better relations were different. The United States wanted to avoid a full-scale war with the Soviet Union. Such a war could have led to a terrible nuclear conflict.
The Meaning of the Word
The word "détente" comes from an old French word. It originally meant to "undo" or "release" a crossbow. A crossbow has a cord that is pulled back tightly to launch an arrow. "Détente" meant releasing that tension. This old meaning fits perfectly with how the word is used in history. It describes releasing the tension between countries.
Images for kids
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Leonid Brezhnev (left) and Richard Nixon (right) during Brezhnev's June 1973 visit to Washington, DC, a high-water mark in détente between the United States and the Soviet Union
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Barack Obama and Raúl Castro at a press conference in Havana, Cuba, in March 2016
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Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un at a summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019
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Indian PM Modi pays an unprecedented surprise visit to Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore in 2015
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Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin (front) next to US President Lyndon Johnson during the Glassboro Summit Conference
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US President Gerald Ford meets with Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev to sign a joint communiqué on the SALT treaty during the Vladivostok Summit in November 1974.
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The Apollo-Soyuz crew in 1975
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See also
In Spanish: Détente para niños
