The reasons for Détente
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for Détente.
Key learning points
- Détente began between the US and USSR in the early 1970s.
- New leaders in both superpowers helped encourage Détente.
- The USA and USSR hoped to address domestic social and economic issues.
- Nixon believed Détente could help the US end its war in Vietnam.
- Brezhnev was concerned to ensure the US and Chinese did not co-operate against the USSR.
Keywords
Détente - the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another
Domestic - issues that exist within a country, rather than those related to its relationship with foreign countries
Sino - relates to China
Common misconception
The USSR was in favout of the US decision to improve relations with communist China.
Because of the Sino-Soviet split, the Soviets worried that improved US-China relations might lead them to form an anti-Soviet alliance.
Teacher tip
Ask students whether the timing of the beginning of Détente suggests that Nixon had a more important role in encouraging the process than Brezhnev did? Students may discuss this in pairs before participating in a broader discussion.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What were the severe Soviet prisons, where prisoners had to perform forced labour, called?
Q2.Write the missing words: ABMs and MIRVs were developed as part of the in the 1960s and 1970s.
Q3.Which superpower fought in the Vietnam War?
Q4.In which country was the SSSJ founded?
Q5.How did censorship change under Brezhnev?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word: refers to the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another.
Q2.Which two leaders were involved in Détente?
Q3.How much was the US spending on its militray and space programme in 1968?
Q4.Which of the following was a domestic motive for Détente?
Q5.Why did Nixon want to improve US relations with China and the USSR?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The reasons for Détente, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The reasons for Détente, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.