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Apollo-Soyuz: Space Age Detente

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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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View the full activity: https://docsteach.org/activity/apollo-soyuz-space-age-detente/

  • 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?
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