key term - Salt II

Definition

Salt II, or the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II, was a series of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union aimed at curbing the arms race during the Cold War, specifically focusing on limiting nuclear weapons. This treaty, signed in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, was intended to build upon the original SALT I agreement and further stabilize the strategic balance between the two superpowers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Although Salt II was signed, it was never ratified by the U.S. Senate due to rising tensions after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979.
2. The treaty aimed to limit the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, including bombers, ICBMs, and SLBMs, setting specific limits on their deployment.
3. Salt II included provisions for verification measures, allowing both sides to monitor compliance through on-site inspections and exchanges of data.
4. Despite its failure to be ratified, Salt II was seen as a significant diplomatic effort that paved the way for future arms control agreements during later administrations.
5. The treaty's negotiation and eventual non-ratification marked a turning point in U.S.-Soviet relations, contributing to increased Cold War tensions in the 1980s.

Review Questions

• How did Salt II build upon the achievements of SALT I and what were its intended goals?
  • Salt II was designed to enhance the framework established by SALT I by further limiting nuclear weapons and delivery systems, addressing gaps left by the first treaty. Its primary goals included reducing the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles and establishing comprehensive verification measures. By aiming for these limits, Salt II sought to stabilize U.S.-Soviet relations and mitigate the risks associated with an unchecked arms race.
• Discuss the impact of geopolitical events on the ratification process of Salt II in the United States.
  • The ratification process of Salt II faced significant challenges due to shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. This event led to a dramatic deterioration in U.S.-Soviet relations and fueled concerns over Soviet expansionism. As a result, many U.S. senators became hesitant to support a treaty that appeared to limit American military capabilities at a time when they perceived increased Soviet aggression. Consequently, this culminated in the treaty's failure to be ratified by Congress.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Salt II's negotiation failure on subsequent arms control efforts and Cold War dynamics.
  • The failure of Salt II's ratification had profound implications for future arms control negotiations and overall Cold War dynamics. It contributed to a period marked by increased hostilities and military build-ups in both superpowers as trust diminished. The heightened tensions ultimately led to escalated arms races during the early 1980s. However, this context also set the stage for later agreements like START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) in the late 1980s and early 1990s, demonstrating how past negotiations influenced subsequent diplomatic efforts toward nuclear disarmament.

Related terms

SALT I: The first round of strategic arms limitation talks, which took place from 1969 to 1972, resulting in an agreement that froze the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) for both superpowers.

Cold War:

A prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by political, military, and ideological rivalry but not resulting in direct armed conflict between the two superpowers.

Nuclear Deterrence:

A military strategy that seeks to prevent adversaries from launching nuclear attacks by maintaining a credible threat of retaliation with nuclear weapons.