Détente trivia
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Détente Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
Question 1
The French diplomatic term "détente" describes what shift in Cold War relations?
The French word literally translates to "loosening" or "relaxation." During the Cold War, it defined the 1970s era of treaties designed to reduce the risk of nuclear war.
Question 2
American athletes played what sport to spark a period of détente with communist China?
This 1971 exchange became known as "Ping-Pong diplomacy." The friendly matches paved the way for President Richard Nixon's historic visit to Beijing the following year.
Question 3
Astronauts from the US and USSR performed what symbolic action in space to promote détente in 1975?
During the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, commanders Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov shook hands through the open hatch of their connected orbital modules.
Question 4
The Soviet Union abruptly ended the era of détente in 1979 by taking what aggressive action?
In response to this military intervention, US President Jimmy Carter halted the SALT II nuclear arms treaty and led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.