The period of détente, which dominated the Cold War atmosphere during the 1970s, was marked by a thawing of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. After decades of hostility, both superpowers engaged in arms control talks, diplomatic visits, and economic cooperation. However, this era of relative calm did not last. By the early 1980s, détente had all but collapsed, replaced once again by intense rivalry. Understanding why détente ended requires a close look at the strategic, political, and ideological conflicts that reignited the Cold War between the two superpowers.
Origins and Goals of Détente
Background of the Cold War
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Cold War was at its height. Nuclear threats, proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis intensified global fears of annihilation. In the wake of these tensions, both the United States and the Soviet Union began to see the benefit of reducing the risk of conflict. Détente, meaning relaxation in French, became the policy framework for achieving this.
Main Objectives
- Arms limitation through treaties like SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)
- Increased trade and economic ties
- Reduction in direct military confrontation
- Open communication channels between Washington and Moscow
Détente was not about friendship; it was a calculated move to ensure mutual survival and stability. Despite its cautious nature, the policy was seen as a step toward peace in an otherwise volatile world.
Reasons for the Collapse of Détente
1. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
One of the key moments that signaled the end of détente was the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The Soviets aimed to support a communist government in Kabul that was under threat from insurgent groups. However, this move was seen by the United States and its allies as an aggressive expansion of Soviet influence in a region close to Western interests, particularly the oil-rich Persian Gulf.
In response, U.S. President Jimmy Carter announced a series of measures:
- Withdrawal from the SALT II treaty process
- Economic sanctions against the Soviet Union
- A boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics
- Increased military spending
The Soviet invasion shattered any remaining trust between the two powers and marked a return to Cold War posturing.
2. Human Rights and Ideological Conflict
The issue of human rights also played a crucial role in the breakdown of détente. The Helsinki Accords of 1975, which were part of the détente framework, committed signatory states including the USSR to uphold human rights. However, the Soviet government continued to suppress political dissent, arrest dissidents, and restrict freedoms.
The U.S., especially under the influence of activists and politicians, began to criticize the Soviet Union more openly. This ideological conflict, rooted in democracy versus authoritarian communism, further widened the gap between the superpowers.
3. Domestic Pressures in the United States
Public opinion and political dynamics within the U.S. also contributed to the failure of détente. Some Americans believed that the Soviet Union was gaining more from détente than the United States. They argued that while the U.S. was restraining its nuclear development and encouraging trade, the Soviets continued to fund revolutionary movements across the globe and build up military power.
These criticisms intensified during the Carter administration, and by the time Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980, the public appetite for détente had almost completely vanished. Reagan’s hardline stance against the USSR was a clear signal that the U.S. was returning to a confrontational Cold War approach.
4. Rise of the Arms Race Again
Despite early agreements such as SALT I, both the U.S. and USSR continued to develop advanced weapons systems during the late 1970s. The Soviets focused on deploying SS-20 intermediate-range missiles in Europe, while the U.S. worked on cruise missiles and the Trident nuclear program.
This escalation of arms often termed the Second Cold War destroyed hopes for any real arms control. Talks stagnated, and mutual suspicion returned. The nuclear balance of terror was no longer restrained by diplomacy but once again fueled by competition.
The Reagan Factor
Reagan’s Foreign Policy Shift
Ronald Reagan, who assumed office in 1981, believed that détente had made America appear weak. He famously called the Soviet Union an ‘evil empire’ and advocated for a massive military buildup to confront and outspend the Soviets. Reagan rejected the idea of peaceful coexistence and focused on rolling back communist influence worldwide.
His administration supported anti-communist movements in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, including the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. The U.S. also launched the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a space-based missile defense system, which alarmed Soviet leaders and further raised tensions.
Global Impact of the End of Détente
Resumption of Cold War Rivalry
The end of détente led to a new and dangerous phase of the Cold War. Diplomatic cooperation was replaced by military threats, espionage, and aggressive propaganda. Proxy wars intensified, and countries around the world once again became battlegrounds for ideological competition.
Economic Strain on the Soviet Union
The arms race and military spending placed immense pressure on the Soviet economy. While the U.S. could sustain large defense budgets, the USSR struggled to keep up. This economic weakness would eventually contribute to the collapse of the Soviet Union by the early 1990s.
Détente was a hopeful chapter in Cold War history, built on the possibility that two ideologically opposed superpowers could find common ground. However, its collapse was driven by renewed geopolitical conflicts, ideological differences, internal political dynamics, and the personal approaches of world leaders. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the failure to uphold human rights, the continuation of the arms race, and the rise of Ronald Reagan’s hardline policies all played a part in ending this brief period of calm. Understanding why détente ended helps us appreciate the complex interplay of diplomacy, power, and ideology that shaped the latter years of the Cold War and still influences global politics today.