SALT I (AQA GCSE History) : Revision Note
How did SALT I impact Cold War tensions? - Summary
SALT I helped reduce Cold War tensions by showing that the USA and the Soviet Union were willing to cooperate. Although it did not reduce the number of weapons, it was the first time both superpowers agreed to limit their arms, which helped build trust.
The talks also led to better communication and were a sign that both sides wanted to avoid another crisis like the Cuban Missile Crisis. SALT I was seen as a success for détente and a move towards more peaceful relations.
However, SALT I did not solve all problems related to nuclear weapons. Both sides continued to develop and improve their nuclear technology in ways not restricted by SALT I. While it helped reduce tension in the short term, the arms race still continued in the background, and mistrust between the USA and the Soviet Union remained. This contributed to the collapse of détente by 1980.
What is the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT)?
SALT, or the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, attempted to reduce the amount and types of nuclear weapons available to the USA and Soviet Union
The agreement was a result of years of negotiation between the USA and the Soviet Union
The talks began in November 1969 and the USA and Soviet Union signed SALT 1 on 26th May 1972
Examiner Tips and Tricks
SALT is the approved abbreviation for the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. Examiners find it acceptable for students to use 'SALT' throughout their exam answers, rather than 'the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty.'
The Terms of SALT 1, May 1972
SALT 1 contained agreements between the USA and the Soviet Union on three key areas of weapons limitation
The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty agreed to the restriction of Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABMs). The treaty allowed the USA and the Soviet Union to have 100 ABMs across two sites
The Interim Treaty placed limitations on how many ICBMs and Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) the USA and the Soviet Union could have.
The treaty allowed the USA to have around 1,000 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs
As the USA possessed more strategic bombers, the Soviet Union could have over 1,600 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs
The Basic Principles Agreement ensured that the USA and the Soviet Union developed actions to avoid nuclear warfare
This treaty also set out 'rules' if future conflict occurred, for example, either country could not place nuclear warheads under the sea
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A significant skill in Conflict and Tension Between East and West is the ability to identify causes and consequences. SALT 1 built upon the success of post-1962 treaties between the USA and the Soviet Union. Remembering this will help you to understand how SALT 1 fits into the wider themes of Cold War tensions and US-Soviet relations.
Strengths and Weaknesses of SALT 1
Strengths of SALT I
The first genuine attempt from both countries to slow down the nuclear arms race
It showed the world that the USA and the Soviet Union could cooperate
Publicly, the two countries could agree on key international issues
Weakness of SALT I
It was unrealistic to expect both countries to follow the Basic Principles Agreement if nuclear war occurred in the future
SALT 1 did not restrict new technology like Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicles (MIRVs)
These were singular missiles that carried multiple nuclear warheads at once
Worked Example
How useful are Sources B and C to a historian studying the impact of the SALT negotiations on Cold War relations?
[12 marks]
Source B: A letter from Richard Nixon to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, 1973
We have now completed the work of drafting an agreement on the question of the prevention of nuclear war. The agreement that we will sign will be of truly historical importance. Building as it does on the basic principles we signed last year, this agreement will undoubtedly be a most important aspect of our meetings. I profoundly hope, as I know you do, Mr. General Secretary, that in signing it, we will be taking a significant step not only toward reducing the danger of a devastating nuclear war, but also toward creating the conditions in the world where wars of any kind and the use of force will no longer afflict mankind. That we have taken this step while fully recognising and respecting the rights and interests of other countries, is a mark of statesmanship.
Source C: A political cartoon by American cartoonist, Ranan Lurie in 1970
Answer:
Source B is very useful to a historian because it shows the optimistic attitude of the USA towards the SALT agreements. The source is a letter from President Nixon to Brezhnev in 1973, where Nixon describes the SALT agreement as “of truly historical importance.” This shows that the US government believed the agreement marked a major turning point in Cold War diplomacy. Nixon also writes that SALT could help “reduce the danger of a devastating nuclear war,” reflecting how détente and arms control were intended to make the world safer. This is useful because it shows how seriously both leaders took the agreement and the hopeful tone surrounding the talks. From my own knowledge, the SALT I agreement, signed in 1972, limited the number of ICBMs and ABM systems each side could have. Therefore, it shows how world leaders viewed SALT I as important for easing Cold War tensions in the short term.
Source C is also useful to a historian because it highlights how many people viewed SALT as limited, and believed the arms race was still continuing. The cartoon shows the American and Soviet leaders at the negotiation table balanced on top of piles of nuclear missiles. At the very bottom, the US and Soviet taxpayers are holding up the weapons, looking anxious. This suggests that even though talks are taking place, both sides are still heavily armed and dependent on huge military budgets. This is supported by my own knowledge, as SALT I did not limit newer technologies like MIRVs, and the arms race continued in other ways. Therefore, the source is useful as it reflects public concerns about whether the SALT agreements would lead to real change.
Together, the sources are useful because they show different views of SALT — one from an official leader, and one from the public. Source B reflects the optimism of the USA and USSR during détente, while Source C shows the ongoing fear and mistrust during the arms race. This helps a historian understand both the intentions behind the SALT agreements and the criticism that they didn’t go far enough in reducing Cold War tensions.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
To achieve high marks for this question, you should:
refer to the content and provenance of the sources
include knowledge that is relevant to the source
make a judgement on how useful the source is for the given issue in the question
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 12-mark"How useful" question.
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