What was "detente"? What caused this happen? Did it indicate a big change in the Cold War?

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Détente

Détente is a remission of tensions between countries. This name was given to a period in which the United States and the Soviet Union began improving their relations in 1971. Détente was to emerge in 1962 where the Cuban missile crisis had highlighted the existing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Its development was to begin in 1962 where both countries were to benefit if there was trade increase and warfare danger reduced. The candidate for reelection visited Russia and China which contributed to the heightened soviets’ interests in détente. Détente lasted for approximately nine years. It was accompanied by a series of events that led to involvement of the Americans in the Vietnam War and it resulted to the end of the protracted war. The west was experiencing a huge economic downturn and opening relations with China. 

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