Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The SALT Agreements (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How Were the SALT Agreements an Attempt to Reduce Cold War Tensions? - Timeline & Summary
A significant agreement between the USA and the Soviet Union in the détente period was the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT). Both countries understood that nuclear weapons played an important role in the rise of Cold War tensions. From 1947, the two countries had competed in an arms race to build the most advanced nuclear weaponry. SALT 1 in 1972 was the first attempt between the USA and the Soviet Union to end this arms race.
On the surface, both countries looked keen to place more limits on nuclear weapons. The Cuban Missile Crisis scared world leaders. One mistake in diplomacy could lead to nuclear warfare. Historians debate if SALT 1 and SALT 2 (1979) showed the USA and the Soviet Union's genuine attempt to reduce Cold War tensions. SALT 1 did not cover newer forms of nuclear technology. Some historians argue that SALT 1 became a publicity stunt, rather than a real attempt to control weapons. SALT 2 never became law due to external circumstances in Afghanistan. As a result, historians debate the impact of SALT on Cold War tensions.
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 in their exam answers. If you are making references to a particular SALT, ensure you add '1' or '2' to ensure it is clear which treaty you are discussing.
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
The Superpower Relations exam tests the skill of narrative. 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
The table below explains the strengths and weaknesses of SALT 1 for both the USA and the Soviet Union
The Impact of SALT 1
SALT 1, May 1972 | |
|---|---|
Strengths | Weaknesses |
SALT 1 showed the first genuine attempt from both countries to slow down the nuclear arms race | It was unrealistic to expect both countries to follow the Basic Principles Agreement if nuclear war occurred in the future |
The treaty showed the world that the USA and the Soviet Union could cooperate. It showed publicly that the two countries could agree on key international issues | 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 |
The Terms of SALT 2, June 1979
The success of SALT 1 encouraged further cooperation between the USA and the Soviet Union
In 1973, Nixon and Brezhnev visited each other's countries
In 1974, negotiations began for SALT 2
SALT 2 aimed to resolve the issues not covered or agreed upon by SALT 1
The terms of SALT 2 were:
To continue the USA and Soviet Union's commitment to reduce nuclear weapons until 1985
To ban the further development of new nuclear technology such as MIRVs
To ensure the USA and the Soviet Union had equal limits of strategic bombers and missile launchers
President Carter and Brezhnev signed SALT 2 on 18th June 1979
Carter became the President of the United States in 1977
Strengths and Weaknesses of SALT 2
The table below explains the strengths and weaknesses of SALT 2 for both the USA and the Soviet Union
The Impact of SALT 2
SALT 2, June 1979 | |
|---|---|
Strengths | Weaknesses |
SALT 2 was a complex treaty that covered the latest nuclear technology. This showed an attempt to improve upon SALT 1 | SALT 2 never received ratification from the US Senate. As a result, the treaty was never upheld by either the USA or the Soviet Union |
What world events impacted the success of SALT 2?
By 1979, US-Soviet relations had worsened
The US government began to turn against the Soviet Union
Democrats and Republicans did not want to pass SALT 2. The US politicians believed it gave the Soviet Union too much power
Carter's own advisers, like Zbigniew Brzezinski, urged Carter to take a tougher stance against the Soviet Union
The actions of the Soviet Union became more aggressive
The Soviet government began to support more communist rebels in El Salvador and Angola
In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. This event marked the end of détente
Worked Example
Explain the importance of the SALT agreements (1972 and 1979) for Cold War tensions
8 marks
Partial answer:
SALT 1 in 1972 reduced Cold War tensions. SALT 1 introduced more restrictions on nuclear weapons. For example, the Interim Treaty meant that the USA could only have around 1,000 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs. This led to a reduction in Cold War tensions as it attempted to bring transparency about how many nuclear weapons each country possessed. By allowing a more open dialogue about the number and types of nuclear weapons, SALT 1 aimed to reduce the fear that both countries had about each other's nuclear capabilities. The treaty focused on older weaponry. This reduced Cold War tensions as reducing older nuclear technology began the process of building trust between the USA and the Soviet Union. As this proved successful, it opened both countries to the possibility of discussing newer weaponry like MIRVs in further SALT discussions.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
To access all 8 marks, you would need to write another paragraph on the importance of SALT on Cold War tensions.
In this style of question, ensure your answer has a chain of impacts in each one of your paragraphs. The worked example argues that:
The USA could only have around 1,000 ICBMs and 740 SLBMs
This agreement attempted to make it clear between the USA and the Soviet Union how many weapons each country possessed
This term in SALT 1 reduced the fear between the USA and the Soviet Union
This reduced tension as trust could be built between the two countries
These points link together to create a developed explanation as to why SALT 1 impacted US-Soviet relations. Attempt to make a chain of impacts when writing your own answers to this type of question.
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