How did the US and the Soviet Union attempt to limit the possibility of global nuclear destruction?

The United States and the Soviet Union took several measures to limit the possibility of global nuclear destruction, especially during the Cold War, when the threat of a nuclear war was at its highest. The key methods employed included diplomacy, arms control treaties, and the establishment of direct communication links. Here's a detailed look at the major steps taken:

1. Test Ban Treaties: Efforts to control nuclear weapons testing began with the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) of 1963, which prohibited nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, thereby limiting the environmental contamination caused by radioactive fallout and showing a commitment to curb the arms race.

2. Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): Signed in 1968, the NPT sought to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology while promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It aimed to achieve complete nuclear disarmament and has been a cornerstone of international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.

3. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): Consisting of two rounds, SALT I and SALT II, these were negotiations between the US and the USSR to limit the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers. SALT I (1972) led to the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, limiting each side to two ABM complexes. SALT II was signed in 1979, although it was never ratified by the United States, set limits on strategic weapons.

4. Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF): Signed in 1987, the INF Treaty required the US and the USSR to eliminate their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles (ranges of 500–5,500 km). It was the first arms control treaty to abolish an entire category of nuclear weapons and included extensive on-site verification measures.

5. Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START): A series of two treaties, these were again aimed at reducing and limiting strategic offensive arms. The first START treaty was signed in 1991 and led to significant reductions in the nuclear arsenals of both countries.

6. The establishment of the "Hotline": In 1963, a direct communications link, commonly known as the "Hotline," was established between Washington and Moscow after the Cuban Missile Crisis. This allowed leaders to communicate directly to defuse crises that could lead to a nuclear exchange.

These and other measures were attempts to stabilize the US-Soviet relationship and establish frameworks of mutual understanding that would reduce the possibility of an accidental or intentional nuclear war.