Discuss the role of detente in easing Cold War tensions.

Detente played a significant role in easing Cold War tensions by promoting diplomatic dialogue and arms control agreements between the superpowers.

Detente, a French term meaning 'relaxation', was a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the late 1960s to the late 1970s. It was a significant shift from the previous policy of brinkmanship and confrontation, which had heightened the risk of nuclear war. The policy of detente was characterised by a series of high-level diplomatic meetings, treaties, and agreements aimed at reducing the risk of war and promoting mutual understanding.

One of the key aspects of detente was the signing of several arms control agreements. The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) I and II were landmark treaties that limited the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers each side could have. These agreements were significant in that they represented the first time the superpowers had agreed to limit their nuclear arsenals, thereby reducing the risk of a nuclear war.

Detente also saw a thawing of relations on other fronts. The Helsinki Accords, signed in 1975, recognised the borders of Europe as they were at the end of World War II, effectively acknowledging the Soviet Union's sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. This was a significant concession by the West and marked a departure from the policy of containment. The Accords also included provisions on human rights, which, although largely ignored by the Soviet Union, set a precedent for future negotiations.

However, detente was not without its critics. Many in the West, particularly in the United States, saw it as a form of appeasement that allowed the Soviet Union to consolidate its gains in Eastern Europe. Others argued that it did little to address the fundamental ideological differences between the two superpowers. Despite these criticisms, detente played a crucial role in easing Cold War tensions and preventing a nuclear war.

In conclusion, detente was a significant factor in easing Cold War tensions. It marked a shift from confrontation to dialogue, leading to a series of agreements that limited the arms race and recognised the geopolitical realities of the time. Despite its limitations and criticisms, detente played a crucial role in reducing the risk of a nuclear war and promoting a degree of mutual understanding between the superpowers.