What changed about the Cold War between the Soviets and the U.S. between 1970 and 1981, and what returned both countries to the Cold War tensions?

Between 1970 and 1981, several shifts occurred in the dynamics of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. These changes included:

1. Detente: There was a period of detente, marked by a relaxation of tensions between the two superpowers. This phase was characterized by diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostility, signing arms control agreements (like SALT I) and engaging in cultural exchanges.

2. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): Negotiations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union led to arms control agreements aimed at limiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons. This contributed to a temporary thaw in the Cold War.

However, tensions resurged and returned to a more heightened state due to several factors:

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 was a significant turning point. The U.S. viewed this action as an aggressive expansion of Soviet influence, leading to increased tensions and a renewed sense of competition between the superpowers.

The election of Ronald Reagan as President of the United States in 1981 ushered in a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union. Reagan's policies, such as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and increased military spending, escalated the arms race and strained relations between the two countries.

Overall, while there was a period of relative relaxation in the early 1970s, the invasion of Afghanistan and the change in U.S. leadership in 1981 contributed to the return of heightened Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States.