(i) The relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union entered a new phase which has been described as Detente. The term detente was used for relaxation in East-West conflict. The detente was also to take into account China. The relationship between the USA and China had been tense for past few years. The Detente with China was a notable achievement. The Cold War did not end during this period but there were improved levels of understanding.

(ii) Several steps were taken by both the countries to ease the tension. In 1968, a nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) was signed by UK, USA and USSR.

(iii) A major area of conflict between the two superpowers was the two Germanys and Berlin. In 1969, the government of West Germany initiated the policy of Ostpolitik which means a 'policy for the East'. West Germany renewed normal relations with East European countries. Both the Germanys recognised each other and were recognised as separate and legitimate states by the superpowers; the two Germanys joined the United Nations in 1973.

(iv) In 1972 USA and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I).-The agreement failed to reduce the amount of armaments but did slow down the arms race. The then President of the Soviet Union Brezhnev and the President of the USA Nixon met thrice. The USA also started exporting wheat to the Soviet Union.

(v) In July 1975, 35 countries assembled for the Helsinki (Finland) Conference. The signing of its final act was regarded, for the time being, as burying the Cold War. The final act contained ten principles, most important of which was that all the nations were to accept the European frontier which had been drawn after the Second World War. Thus the division of Germany was accepted. The communist countries promised to allow their peoples 'human rights' including freedom of speech and freedom to leave the country.

(vi) During the period of detente USA-China relations improved considerably. President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made special efforts to ease the tension with China.

(vii) In 1971, China was admitted to the UN and Taiwan was expelled. In 1978 the USA withdrew the recognition of Nationalist China and in 1979 the USA gave recognition the People's Republic of China, and ambassadors were exchanged.