SALT II Treaty Signed Between Superpowers
A significant arms control agreement was signed between the United States and the Soviet Union in Vienna, Austria. Negotiated over several years, the SALT II treaty aimed to curtail the arms race by limiting the number of nuclear weapons and strategic delivery systems. Leaders including U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev were present during the signing. The treaty represented a commitment to reduce nuclear arsenals and promote strategic stability in a time of intense Cold War tensions.
Negotiations began in the early 1970s.
Limited nuclear delivery systems were included.
SALT II faced opposition in the U.S. Senate.
U.S.-Soviet tensions increased post-signing.
What Happened?
The SALT II treaty marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War, reflecting a mutual desire to manage nuclear arsenals while avoiding direct military confrontation. The negotiations, which began in the early 1970s, involved detailed discussions about various categories of nuclear weapons systems. The key elements of the treaty included limits on the number of strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles and bombers. SALT II was an attempt by both nations to move towards reducing the chances of nuclear conflict and to stabilize a volatile international landscape.
Signed in Vienna, Austria, on June 18, 1979, the treaty was a product of high-level diplomacy between Jimmie Carter and Leonid Brezhnev. The agreement included a ten-year duration with specific guidelines for implementing the arms limitations. Despite its significance, the treaty faced numerous challenges, particularly once the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan occurred in late 1979, which inflamed tensions between the two superpowers.
The ratification process in the U.S. Senate was complicated by domestic opposition and geopolitical developments. While Carter urged for the treaty's approval, many senators expressed skepticism, leading to a slowed legislative process. Ultimately, although SALT II was signed and many elements were observed by both nations, it was never formally ratified by the U.S. Senate, which limited its enforcement and long-term impact.
Why Does it Matter?
The SALT II treaty is interesting because it exemplifies the complex interplay between arms control and national security during the Cold War. The signing represented a rare moment of détente at a time when hostilities were rampant and stands as a testament to the potential for negotiation in preventing nuclear escalation. While the treaty was never formally ratified, it laid the groundwork for future arms reduction talks and introduced concepts that would be revisited in subsequent treaties such as START. The consequences of SALT II derived from the desires and conflicts presented during a critical period in U.S.-Soviet history.