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Apollo-Soyuz: Space Age Detente

Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast

All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.

Introduction

In July 1975, American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts docked their spacecraft in orbit above the earth. Later that day, the crews of both the spacecraft talked with President Gerald R. Ford on the phone and listened to a message from Soviet Leonid Brezhnev. Both saw this spaceflight as more than scientific progress. In these letters exchanged between the two, both Ford and Brezhnev talk about the importance of cooperation in space. Read the letters and analyze ways the two leaders agree and differ on the topic of spaceflight. Identify key phrases in both letters including phrases that both men use. Talk about the questions in your groups.


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Worksheet

Apollo-Soyuz: Space Age Detente

Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast

Examine the documents included in this activity and write your response in the space provided.


What is similar about these two letters? Look for similar phrases or ideas.
What is different?
What ideas or events does each leader emphasize?
Do you think they agree on why this event is important?

Your Response




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Conclusion

Apollo-Soyuz: Space Age Detente

Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast

How do Ford’s and Brezhnev’s arguments about the space program in 1975 compare to current views of the space program?
Do you think their wishes have come true? Why or why not?
In addition to promoting scientific exploration, how did this spaceflight promote diplomacy between the United States and the Soviet Union?

Your Response




Document

Letter from President Gerald Ford to Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

9/17/1975

This letter includes information regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, a joint U.S.-Soviet Union space mission. The original was delivered to Leonid Brezhnev by the Apollo astronauts during a tour of the Soviet Union after the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
This primary source comes from the Collection GRF-0056: White House Central Files Subject Files (Ford Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 7347331
Full Citation: Letter from President Gerald Ford to Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project; 9/17/1975; Collection GRF-0056: White House Central Files Subject Files (Ford Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-from-president-gerald-ford-to-soviet-general-secretary-leonid-brezhnev-regarding-the-apollosoyuz-test-project, March 19, 2024]


Letter from President Gerald Ford to Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev, Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Document

Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

7/25/1975

This message includes information regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, a joint U.S.-Soviet Union space mission.
This primary source comes from the Collection GRF-0332: Henry Kissinger and Brent Scowcroft West Wing Office Files (Ford Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 7347327
Full Citation: Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project; 7/25/1975; Collection GRF-0332: Henry Kissinger and Brent Scowcroft West Wing Office Files (Ford Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/message-from-soviet-general-secretary-leonid-brezhnev-to-president-gerald-ford-regarding-the-apollosoyuz-test-project, March 19, 2024]


Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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Message from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev to President Gerald Ford Regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

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