Salt II

Definition

Salt II, or the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II, was a 1979 treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union aimed at curbing the arms race during the Cold War. It built upon the earlier SALT I treaty, focusing on limiting nuclear weapons and preventing the development of new missile systems. Although signed by both nations, it faced significant political challenges and was never ratified by the U.S. Senate, highlighting the tensions and complexities of Cold War 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, marking a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy.
2. The treaty aimed to limit strategic nuclear weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), capping their numbers to maintain a balance of power.
3. Despite being signed, Salt II was met with opposition in the U.S. Congress due to concerns over Soviet aggression, particularly following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979.
4. The treaty's failure to be ratified demonstrated the fragility of détente and highlighted how quickly relations could deteriorate between superpowers during this era.
5. Although Salt II was never fully implemented, its principles influenced later arms control negotiations in subsequent decades as both nations continued to seek ways to manage their nuclear arsenals.

Review Questions

• How did Salt II build upon the foundations laid by Salt I, and what were its primary objectives?
  • Salt II aimed to expand on the agreements made in Salt I by introducing more comprehensive limitations on strategic nuclear weapons. Its primary objectives included capping the number of ICBMs and SLBMs each country could possess while also addressing concerns about new missile systems that could alter the balance of power. By building on previous agreements, Salt II sought to create a more stable environment and reduce the risks associated with nuclear proliferation during the Cold War.
• Discuss the political challenges that prevented Salt II from being ratified by the U.S. Senate and how these challenges reflect broader tensions of the Cold War.
  • The ratification of Salt II faced significant hurdles primarily due to rising tensions following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979. Critics within the U.S. Senate argued that ratifying the treaty would embolden Soviet military ambitions and compromise American security. This opposition highlighted broader Cold War dynamics, where mistrust and geopolitical conflicts often overshadowed diplomatic efforts, illustrating how quickly international relations could shift based on current events.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Salt II's failure on subsequent arms control negotiations and Cold War relations.
  • The failure of Salt II to be ratified had lasting implications for future arms control negotiations as it demonstrated the challenges in achieving consensus between superpowers amid fluctuating political climates. The distrust fostered during this period led to heightened military posturing and contributed to a renewed arms race in the 1980s. However, many of Salt II's principles continued to inform later treaties, such as START I, showing that even amid setbacks, there remained a commitment to find frameworks for nuclear arms reduction in an evolving global context.

Related terms

SALT I: The first round of negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union aimed at freezing the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers in 1972.

Detente: A period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the 1970s, characterized by diplomatic agreements like SALT II.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which laid groundwork for arms control discussions.