Détente and Improved Relations

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, both superpowers recognised the need to reduce the risk of nuclear war. The period from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s saw a gradual easing of tensions known as détente (a French word meaning "relaxation"). This lesson examines the key agreements, summits, and developments that characterised this period.

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What Was Détente?

Détente was not the end of the Cold War — the superpowers remained rivals. Instead, it was a period of reduced tension and increased communication, driven by the recognition that nuclear war was unwinnable and must be avoided.

Feature of Détente	Explanation
Arms control	Agreements to limit the growth of nuclear arsenals
Diplomacy	Regular summits between US and Soviet leaders
Trade	Increased economic cooperation
Cultural exchange	Joint scientific and cultural programmes
Reduced rhetoric	Less aggressive public language

Key Term: Détente — a period of eased tension between the superpowers, primarily from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s. It did not end the Cold War but made it less dangerous.

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Why Did Détente Happen?