Vietnam War Practice Test 2026 - Free Vietnam War Practice Questions and Study Guide

Détente refers to easing the Cold War tensions between the United States and a major rival, focused on reducing the threat of nuclear conflict through diplomacy and arms control. In Nixon’s presidency, the concerted push was toward the Soviet Union, leading to landmark steps like the SALT I agreement and the ABM Treaty, and culminating in Nixon’s 1972 visit to Moscow. These moves were aimed at slowing the arms race and creating more stable, predictable relations with the USSR. While Nixon did reach out to China as well, the term détente is most closely associated with improving ties with the Soviet Union. Vietnam was a separate, ongoing conflict issue rather than a détente effort with a rival power.