Salt II

Definition

Salt II, formally known as the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II, was a treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union aimed at curbing the arms race in nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Signed in 1979, it sought to limit the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers and set guidelines for future arms control negotiations, reflecting a significant moment in nuclear arms control efforts and international diplomacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Salt II was signed on June 18, 1979, by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev but was never ratified by the U.S. Senate due to geopolitical tensions following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
2. The treaty sought to limit the number of strategic launchers to 2,250 for both nations, aiming to promote stability and reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation.
3. Despite its non-ratification, Salt II was observed by both parties until 1986, when U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced that the U.S. would no longer adhere to its terms.
4. Salt II played a role in shaping future arms control discussions, influencing treaties like START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), which followed in the late 1980s.
5. The treaty represented a shift in U.S.-Soviet relations from confrontation to dialogue, highlighting both the potential for cooperation and the complexities of achieving lasting agreements in a tense geopolitical climate.

Review Questions

• How did Salt II aim to change the dynamics of U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War?
  • Salt II aimed to foster a more stable relationship between the U.S. and the Soviet Union by establishing limits on strategic weapons, thus reducing tensions associated with the arms race. The treaty represented a move towards negotiation and diplomacy over military escalation, showcasing an effort by both superpowers to find common ground despite ongoing ideological differences. This shift was crucial in easing fears of nuclear confrontation and promoting future arms control discussions.
• Discuss the implications of Salt II's non-ratification by the U.S. Senate on future arms control agreements.
  • The non-ratification of Salt II by the U.S. Senate had significant implications for future arms control agreements, as it underscored the challenges of achieving consensus on nuclear policy within a politically divided environment. This situation weakened trust between the superpowers and led to increased tensions, ultimately making subsequent negotiations more complex. Additionally, it set a precedent for skepticism regarding arms control treaties that would influence later agreements like START.
• Evaluate how Salt II influenced subsequent nuclear arms control efforts and what lessons can be learned from its outcome.
  • Salt II influenced subsequent nuclear arms control efforts by highlighting both the potential for diplomacy and the pitfalls of geopolitical tensions overshadowing negotiations. The treaty's experience taught negotiators about the importance of addressing domestic political concerns and international events that could derail agreements. Future treaties, such as START, built on lessons learned from Salt II by including more rigorous verification measures and addressing emerging threats, illustrating how past agreements inform current policy and strategy.

Related terms

Nuclear Deterrence: A military strategy aimed at preventing an adversary from taking an action by the threat of retaliatory nuclear strike.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): A series of negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union aimed at limiting the production and deployment of strategic weapons.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD): A military doctrine in which two opposing sides possess enough nuclear weaponry to destroy each other, thereby deterring either side from initiating a conflict.