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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can assess the significance of SALT 1.

Key learning points

  1. President Nixon visited Moscow in 1972.
  2. SALT 1 was signed in 1972.
  3. SALT 1 included arms limitations and agreements between the USA and USSR to cooperate.
  4. Not all new nuclear weapons were covered by SALT 1.
  5. The Cold War still continued after 1972.

Keywords

  • Arms - weapons

  • Rapprochement - the development of friendlier relations between countries who have been enemies

  • State visit - when the leader of one country makes an official visit to another

  • Interim - something that is only temporary

  • Moderated - to prevent something from reaching extremes

Common misconception

SALT 1 represented an end to the Cold War.

SALT 1 helped to moderate some elements of the Cold War such as the arms race but did not bring a complete stop to this. US and Soviet rivalry continued after 1972 and so did the Cold War.

Teacher tip

Get students to reflect on East-West relations over the course of the period from 1945-72 by constructing a time-axis graph. The line element of this should be plotted according to how cooperative/tense US-Soviet relations were at given times. Justifications should be included.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is Détente?

an escalation of tensions between countries which have been hostile
Correct answer: a relaxation of tensions between countries which have been hostile
a resumption of tensions between countries which have been hostile

Q2.
In which decade did Détente begin?

1940s
1950s
1960s
Correct answer: 1970s

Q3.
Which of the following was an international motive for Détente?

US urban riots
Soviet living standards
Correct answer: US war in Vietnam

Q4.
Which countries were part of the Sino-Soviet split?

Correct answer: China
Japan
USA
Correct answer: USSR
Vietnam

Q5.
How much did the USSR spend on its military and space programme in 1968?

$18 billion
$38 billion
Correct answer: $58 billion
$78 billion

Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

1 - Berlin Blockade
2 - Korean War
3 - Hungarian Uprising
4 - Cuban Misisle Crisis
5 - Prague Spring
6 - Détente began

6 Questions

Q1.
Write the missing keyword. is the development of friendlier relations between countries who have been enemies.

Correct Answer: rapproachement, Rapproachment

Q2.
Which US president made a state visit to the USSR in 1972?

Truman
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Johnson
Correct answer: Nixon

Q3.
Which of the following agreements was not part of SALT 1?

Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
Basic Principles Agreement
Interim Treaty
Correct answer: Test Ban Treaty

Q4.
Which weapon was not covered by restrictions under SALT 1?

ABMs
ICMBs
Correct answer: MIRVs
SLBMs

Q5.
Which statement is most accurate?

SALT 1 intensified the Cold War
Correct answer: SALT 1 moderated the Cold War
SALT 1 ended the Cold War

Q6.
Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.

1 - USA and USSR fight as allies in WW2
2 - NATO formed
3 - Hungarian Uprising crushed
4 - Cuban Missile Crisis
5 - MIRVs developed
6 - SALT 1 signed by the USA and USSR

To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Détente and SALT 1, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...