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 that aimed to curtail the manufacture of strategic nuclear weapons and establish a framework for arms control. The agreement was signed in 1979 but was never ratified by the U.S. Senate, largely due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan later that year, which soured relations between the two superpowers. SALT II represented an important effort during the era of détente to reduce tensions and promote stability in international relations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SALT II was signed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev in June 1979 in Vienna.
2. The agreement aimed to limit the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and heavy bombers.
3. SALT II included provisions for verification measures, including on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the treaty's terms.
4. The political landscape shifted dramatically after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979, leading to U.S. concerns over Soviet expansionism.
5. Despite its signing, SALT II was never ratified by the U.S. Senate due to deteriorating relations with the Soviet Union, marking a significant turning point in arms control efforts.

Review Questions

• How did SALT II reflect the goals of détente and what were its main provisions?
  • SALT II embodied the aims of détente by attempting to stabilize U.S.-Soviet relations through mutual agreements on arms control. The main provisions focused on limiting strategic nuclear weapons, specifically by capping the number of ICBMs and heavy bombers each superpower could possess. This effort indicated a desire to prevent an arms race and establish a framework for ongoing dialogue between the two nations.
• Analyze why SALT II was never ratified by the U.S. Senate despite being signed, and how this reflects broader geopolitical tensions at the time.
  • Although SALT II was signed in 1979, it faced significant opposition in the U.S. Senate, primarily due to increasing fears surrounding Soviet aggression after their invasion of Afghanistan. This event shifted public opinion and political support away from arms control agreements, as many viewed the Soviets as untrustworthy. The failure to ratify SALT II marked a decline in détente and underscored escalating tensions in U.S.-Soviet relations during that period.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of SALT II's failure on subsequent arms control efforts between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • The failure of SALT II had significant long-term implications for arms control negotiations as it led to a renewed arms race and heightened distrust between the United States and the Soviet Union. Without a solid framework established by SALT II, both superpowers continued to develop advanced weaponry throughout the 1980s, complicating future negotiations. This failure ultimately influenced subsequent treaties like START (Strategic Arms Reduction Talks), as both sides recognized the need for effective measures to prevent nuclear conflict while navigating their complex relationship.

Related terms

Détente: A period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the superpowers, characterized by diplomatic negotiations and treaties aimed at preventing nuclear conflict.

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

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): A military doctrine where both sides possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, ensuring that neither side would initiate a conflict due to the guaranteed catastrophic consequences.