What is Detente?

Detente comes from the French word, loosen or
relax.

Within the context of history, the word has been
used notably during the Cold War period of the 20th Century. Richard Nixon, president of
the United States and his Secretary of State, Henry Kissenger began a period of easing
the strained relations between the West and East (Soviet Union) during the
1970s.

To this point, this was a major foreign policy shift
of the United States. Since the end of World War II, the foreign policy of the US and
its allies had been one of Containment towards the Soviet Union and its allies. The idea
of detente was a concession by Nixon and Kissenger that Containment had
failed.

There were other periods of detente throughout
European history. During the 19th Century Napoleonic Wars, detente between Czarist
Russia and Austria for example or Sweden and Prussia during the same period. Finally,
also during the 18th Century the easing of tensions between Spain and
Portugal.

There are other examples, but I believe the
intent of your question has been answered in my first
part.

Hope it helps.