Question

what was the purpose of détente?

a. to keep the u.s. and the soviet union more separated so the world could see their differences.
b. to bring the u.s. and the soviet union together to ease cold war tensions.
c. to open up trade between communist nations to strengthen communism as a whole.
d. to show the world that the u.s. capitalist ideology was better than communism.

Explanation:

Define the term détente

The term "détente" is a French word meaning the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries. In the context of the Cold War, it refers to a period of improved relations and increased cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union that began in the late 1960s and lasted through the 1970s.

Analyze the historical context

During the late 1960s, both superpowers realized that the ongoing nuclear arms race and direct confrontations (such as the Cuban Missile Crisis) were extremely dangerous and costly. Leaders like U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev sought a more stable, predictable relationship to avoid direct military conflict.

Evaluate the given options

• Option a suggests keeping the nations separated to highlight differences, which contradicts the cooperative nature of détente.
• Option b states that the purpose was to bring the U.S. and the Soviet Union together to ease Cold War tensions. This aligns perfectly with the historical definition and actions of the era, such as the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) treaties.
• Option c focuses on trade between communist nations to strengthen communism, which does not describe a policy between the capitalist U.S. and the communist USSR.
• Option d suggests a purely ideological competition, whereas détente was aimed at reducing active hostility rather than simply proving ideological superiority.

Determine the correct choice

Based on the historical definition and goals of the policy, the primary purpose of détente was to ease the intense geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers. Therefore, option b is the correct answer.

Answer:

• a. To keep the U.S. and the Soviet Union more separated so the world could see their differences.
• b. To bring the U.S. and the Soviet Union together to ease Cold War tensions. (Correct answer)
• c. To open up trade between communist nations to strengthen communism as a whole.
• d. To show the world that the U.S. capitalist ideology was better than communism.