The reasons for Détente | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

Write the missing word: (a)   refers to the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another.

Answer explanation

Détente refers to the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another.

Which two leaders were involved in Détente?

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Lyndon B Johnson

• Nikita Khshchev

• Richard Nixon

Answer explanation

Richard Nixon was President of the USA and Leonid Brezhnev was Soviet leader the time when Détente began.

How much was the US spending on its militray and space programme in 1968?

• $20.1 billion

• $40.3 billion

• $60.2 billion

• $80.1 billion

Answer explanation

In 1968, the US spent $80.1 billion on its military and space programme. Military and space spending was very high in the USA during the 1960s due to competition against the Soviets.

Which of the following was a domestic motive for Détente?

• Sino-Soviet split

• US urban riots

• US war in Vietnam

Answer explanation

The USA and USSR both had domestic motives for Détente. In the USA, this included the need to address widespread inequalities which led to hundreds of urban riots between 1964 and 1968.

Why did Nixon want to improve US relations with China and the USSR?

• So they would stop fighting against US forces in Vietnam.

• So they would send troops to fight alongside the US in Vietnam.

• So they would put pressure on the North Vietnamese during peace negotiations.

Answer explanation

Nixon promised to end US involvement in the Vietnam War but needed the North Vietnamese to agree to peace terms; he hoped better US relations with China and the USSR would increase pressure on the North Vietnamese to agree to terms.

Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

• Both superpowers became open to pursuing Détente

• President Nixon promised to achieve “peace with honour”

• Nixon visited China and improved relations with its leaders

• The USSR worried about becoming internationally isolated

• USA attempted to improve its relations with communist states

Answer explanation

Nixon promised to end US involvement in the Vietnam War but needed the North Vietnamese to agree to peace terms. Improved US relations with China worried the USSR and encouraged Brezhnev to pursue Détente with the US.