Who initiated the policy of détente with the Soviet Union in the 1970s?

The policy of détente with the Soviet Union in the 1970s was initiated by Richard Nixon. Détente represented a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, moving away from the confrontational Cold War stance that characterized much of the late 1940s through the 1960s. Nixon's administration sought to ease tensions with the Soviet Union and China, recognizing the need for cooperation in areas such as arms control and diplomatic relations.

Nixon's efforts included important landmark agreements, such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 1972, which sought to slow the arms race and stabilize relations. The policy aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation and foster a more manageable rivalry between the superpowers. Additionally, it allowed the United States to focus on other global concerns and reduce military expenditures.

While other presidents had their own approaches to foreign relations during the Cold War era, it was Nixon's initiatives in the 1970s that prominently established the framework for détente, marking a critical period in U.S.-Soviet relations.