Anti-ballistic missile treaty

Definition

The anti-ballistic missile treaty was a 1972 agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union that limited the deployment of missile defense systems designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles. This treaty aimed to curb the arms race by promoting strategic stability, preventing either side from gaining a significant advantage in missile defense technology, and fostering a mutual reliance on offensive nuclear capabilities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The anti-ballistic missile treaty was signed on May 26, 1972, and marked a significant step in arms control during the Cold War.
2. Under the treaty, both superpowers were allowed to deploy only two ABM systems, with one in a designated area around their capital and another to protect a missile silo complex.
3. The treaty recognized that offensive nuclear capabilities were more effective than defensive measures in deterring nuclear conflict.
4. The anti-ballistic missile treaty remained in effect until the United States withdrew from it in 2002 under President George W. Bush, citing changes in global security dynamics.
5. The treaty is often viewed as a crucial element in stabilizing U.S.-Soviet relations during a time characterized by intense military competition.

Review Questions

• How did the anti-ballistic missile treaty influence the concept of deterrence during the Cold War?
  • The anti-ballistic missile treaty played a key role in shaping the concept of deterrence during the Cold War by emphasizing that offensive capabilities were more effective than defensive ones. By limiting missile defense systems, both superpowers relied on their offensive nuclear arsenals to deter aggression, leading to a balance of power based on mutually assured destruction. This understanding created a tense but stable environment where neither side could confidently launch a first strike without facing devastating retaliation.
• Evaluate the impact of the anti-ballistic missile treaty on U.S.-Soviet relations throughout its duration.
  • The anti-ballistic missile treaty significantly impacted U.S.-Soviet relations by serving as a framework for arms control and fostering dialogue between the two superpowers. It reduced tensions by establishing limits on missile defense systems, which helped prevent an escalation of the arms race. Despite ongoing rivalries, the treaty represented a commitment to strategic stability and was seen as a diplomatic achievement that laid groundwork for future negotiations like SALT, further improving relations during certain periods of the Cold War.
• Assess how the withdrawal from the anti-ballistic missile treaty in 2002 reflects changes in global security perceptions and its implications for future arms control agreements.
  • The withdrawal from the anti-ballistic missile treaty in 2002 by the United States signified a shift in global security perceptions, particularly regarding emerging threats such as terrorism and rogue states. This decision indicated a belief that missile defense systems could play a critical role in national security, leading to concerns about a new arms race as other nations may seek to develop or enhance their own capabilities in response. The move raised questions about the viability of future arms control agreements, as it illustrated potential challenges in achieving consensus on security strategies among nations navigating an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Related terms

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): A military doctrine that asserts that full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would result in the complete annihilation of both the attacker and defender.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): Negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1970s aimed at curbing the arms race by limiting the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and furthering the goal of disarmament.