Title: Dynamic détente : the United States and Europe, 1964-1975 /
Authors: Kieninger, Stephan,
Year: 2016
Subjects: Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Organization) History.; Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Organization); Detente History; Communication in politics History; Cold War Diplomatic history.; National security United States History; National security Europe History; Communication in politics; Detente; Diplomacy; Diplomatic relations.; National security; United States Foreign relations Europe.; Europe Foreign relations United States.; United States Foreign relations; United States Foreign relations; Europe; United States
Abstract: "This book examines the dynamic evolution of Western détente policies which sought to transform Europe and overcome its Cold War division through more communication and engagement. Kieninger challenges the traditional Cold War narrative that détente prolonged the division of Europe and precipitated America's decline in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Rather, he argues that policymakers in the U.S. Department of State and in Western Europe envisaged the stability enabled by détente as a precondition for change, as Communist regimes saw a sense of security as a prerequisite for opening up their societies to Western influence over time. Kieninger identifies the Helsinki Accords, Lyndon Johnson's bridge building, and Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik as efforts aimed at constructive changes in Eastern Europe through a multiplication of contacts, communication, and cooperation on all societal levels. This study also illuminates the longevity of America's policy of peaceful change against the background of the nuclear stalemate and the military status quo"--Provided by publisher.
Contents: Introduction: The United States and the power of dynamic détente policies -- Part I. The evolution of America's transformation strategy, 1947-1968 -- The origins of America's transformation approach in the Cold War, 1947-1963 -- "Thawing the Cold War" : Lyndon Johnson, bridge building, and the search for détente, 1964-1966 -- Peaceful engagement and plans for Europe's transformation, 1966-1968 -- Part II. Setbacks and survival : the longevity of America's transformation policy during the Nixon and Ford years, 1969-1976 -- Power politics : Richard Nixon's and Henry Kissinger's concept for détente -- SALT : "Diverting the arms race into the permitted channels," 1969-1976 -- "Do you want it done or do you want to have it talked about?" : NATO's policy on MBFR, 1970-1975 -- Ostpolitik and the idea for a European security conference : catalysts for the continuation of the transformation policy, 1969-1972 -- Transformation or status quo? : CSCE, MBFR and European security -- Part III. Silent success for America's transformation policy : transatlantic networking in the CSCE negotiations, 1973-1975 -- Bridge building after Richard Nixon's reelection : the multilateral preparatory talks for the CSCE, 1972-1973 -- Transatlantic networking and the survival of the American transformation approach in the CSCE negotiations, 1973-1974 -- The final months of the CSCE negotiations : the codification of the transformation agenda in the Helsinki Final Act -- Conclusion: The durability of America's transformation policy -- A note on sources.