The Salt Nuclear Agreement: A Comprehensive Guide
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were a series of negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union, aimed at limiting the number of nuclear weapons possessed by both countries. One of the most significant outcomes of these talks was the Salt Nuclear Agreement, signed by President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev in 1972.
What is the Salt Nuclear Agreement?
The Salt Nuclear Agreement was a treaty signed by the United States and the Soviet Union on May 26, 1972. The treaty was the first of its kind, aimed at limiting the amount of nuclear weapons each country was allowed to possess. The main objectives of the treaty were:
– To limit the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) possessed by each country.
– To limit the number of nuclear warheads on each missile.
– To establish a framework for future arms control negotiations.
Under the terms of the treaty, both countries were limited to:
– 1,618 ICBMs and SLBMs.
– 2,400 total nuclear warheads on these missiles.
– No more than 1,320 missile launchers, which included both fixed and mobile launchers.
– The use of a national technical means (NTM) of verification, such as spy satellites, to verify compliance with the treaty.
Why was the Salt Nuclear Agreement important?
The Salt Nuclear Agreement was important for several reasons. Firstly, it was the first treaty aimed at limiting the number of nuclear weapons possessed by both the United States and the Soviet Union. This was a significant step towards preventing a nuclear war, which was a real possibility during the height of the Cold War.
Secondly, the treaty established a framework for future arms control negotiations. This led to the signing of other important treaties, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).
Lastly, the treaty helped to improve relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty was seen as a sign of progress towards peaceful coexistence, and helped to reduce tensions between the two superpowers.
What were the criticisms of the Salt Nuclear Agreement?
The Salt Nuclear Agreement was not without its critics. Some argued that the treaty did not go far enough in limiting the number of nuclear weapons possessed by the United States and the Soviet Union. Others argued that the treaty was too one-sided, and that the Soviet Union had gained more from the negotiations.
Another criticism was that the treaty did not address other important issues, such as the development of new nuclear weapons technology and the deployment of missile defense systems. Critics argued that these issues needed to be addressed in future arms control negotiations.
Conclusion
The Salt Nuclear Agreement was a significant achievement in arms control, and helped to prevent a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty established a framework for future negotiations, and helped to improve relations between the two superpowers. However, the treaty was not without its criticisms, and some argued that it did not go far enough in limiting the number of nuclear weapons possessed by both countries.