How far did relations between East and West change during the Cold War period from 1948 to the 1980s?

How far did relations between East and West change during the Cold War period from 1948 to the 1980s?

How far did relations between East and West change during the Cold War period from 1948 to the 1980s?

The period of 1948 to the 1980s includes a thaw in Cold war relations after 1953, but also covers a series of crises. This essay will discuss how far the period marks a significant change in relations between the two superpowers. To come to my judgment, I will discuss the following, the Berlin Blockade of 1948-9, the Polish Solidarity Crisis of 1980-82, Brandt’s policy of Ostpolitik in Europe and, perhaps most significantly, the series of agreements made between the superpowers.

One clear sign of a thawing in relations during this period manifested itself in the form of a series of treaties and agreements between the superpowers. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and in an attempt to find an alternative to Mutually Assured Destruction, the East and Western powers sought ways to limit nuclear weapons. In the 60’s this was indicated by the Test Ban treaty, which banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, under water and in outer space. But, the 70’s saw a series of Agreements that indicated a serious desire to move away from dangerous confrontation; first, the ABM treaty, which limited the USA and the USSR to two ABM systems each, second, the Interim Treaty, which would limit the number of ICBMs and SLMBs for both the USSR and the USA- the USSR were allowed more since the USA had a large lead in other areas - and third the Basic Principles Agreement which laid out important rules for the conduct of nuclear warfare, Both the USA and USSR pledged ‘to do their upmost to avoid military confrontations’, to ‘exercise restraint’ in international relations and that trade should be encouraged between the two superpowers . These agreements and compromises indicated a change in the tone of the Cold War, seeing the powers move away from hostility and confrontation and towards consensus. It indicated that the USSR and USA were keen to move away from the Nuclear...

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