What was the purpose of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) signed in 1972?

The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I), signed in 1972, aimed specifically to limit the number of nuclear arms held by the United States and the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, both superpowers were engaged in a significant arms race, leading to concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict. SALT I was a crucial step in arms control, as it put a cap on the production and deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

This treaty not only represented a shift towards strategic negotiation and dialogue between the two nations but also helped to stabilize international relations by acknowledging the need to prevent an escalation of nuclear armaments. By formalizing limits on certain types of nuclear weapons, SALT I sought to create a framework for managing and reducing the nuclear arsenals, ultimately contributing to a safer global environment regarding nuclear warfare.