Détente, a cooling down period between superpowers USA and USSR, got a little too hot in the 1970s. Why? Well, economic changes played a huge role. The U.S. found itself less eager for détente when its economy improved. Meanwhile, the USSR’s economy went 📉, making détente even less attractive for America. Economic disparities, political maneuvering, and finally, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan shattered détente like a dropped iPhone. 📱💔

• Late 1970s: U.S. economy started to recover

• Oil Crisis of 1973: After the Yom Kippur War, OPEC embargoed Israel’s allies, spurring the U.S. to create the G7 and find new energy sources

• 1974-1978: Oil prices stabilized, boosting the U.S. economy

• Impact: Less motivation for the U.S. to pursue détente

  Real-world example: Imagine you've been trading Pokémon cards with a friend because you both need what the other has. Now, you find a stash of super rare cards at home. Would you still be as eager to trade? Probably not. 🤷‍♂️

• Inefficiencies: Central planning wasn’t working out

• Interest Rates: Going up, impacting growth

• Jackson-Vanik Amendment: Restricted U.S.-Soviet trade, making technology transfer tough

  Real-world example: It's like being in a group project where one person (USA) is doing super well and another (USSR) is struggling. The one doing well is less inclined to share resources. 📚