cold-war-modern: Lesson 55

The policy of détente emerged in the late 1960s as a strategy to ease tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. This period was characterized by increased diplomatic engagement and negotiations, including treaties such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) that aimed to limit nuclear weapons. Détente represented a shift from the more confrontational policies of earlier years, promoting dialogue over conflict. However, this thawing of relations was tested by events such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which ultimately led to a resurgence of Cold War hostilities.