Détente and SALT I
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the significance of the SALT I treaty.
Key learning points
- The USA and USSR followed a policy of Détente during the 1970s.
- The USA and USSR wanted to divert money spent on the arms race to address domestic social and economic problems.
- The USA pursued a policy of Détente because they thought it would help them to end their involvement in the Vietnam War.
- The SALT I agreement included important limitations on arms and agreements between the USA and the USSR to cooperate.
- SALT I had significant limitations, for example, not all nuclear weapons were covered by the agreement.
Keywords
Détente - the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another
Arms race - when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength
Domestic - issues that exist within a country, rather than those related to its relationship with other countries
Interim - something that is temporary
Rapprochement - the development of friendlier relations between countries that have been enemies
Common misconception
The period of Détente in the 1970s did not mark the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
Although there was a reduction in tensions between the USA and the USSR during the early 1970s, tensions had increased again by the end of the decade.
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 discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word means when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength?
Q2.Which word describes a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
Q3.Complete the sentence: The Second Berlin Crisis resulted in the building of the which confirmed the division of Germany and Berlin.
Q4.Which of the following were consequences of the Berlin Wall?
Q5.On 27th November 1958, Khrushchev delivered the Berlin Ultimatum. What was included in the ultimatum?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. is the development of friendlier relations between countries who have been enemies.
Q2.Which US president made a state visit to the USSR in 1972?
Q3.Which of the following agreements was not part of SALT I?
Q4.Which weapon was not covered by restrictions under SALT I?
Q5.Which statement is most accurate?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Détente and SALT I, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Détente and SALT I, 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 Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.