first human to set foot on the surface of the moon

On July 20, 1969 500 million persons throughout the world follow on their television screens as Neil A. Armstrong, commander of the Apollo 11, leaves the landing module Eagle dressed in his space suit, and becomes the first human to set foot on the surface of the moon. The US thereby confirms its leading role in manned space travel.

The superpower competition in space exploration and the arms race are closely connected. Since the 1960's there has existed a balance of terror between the US and the UdSSR given the destructive capability of the nuclear weapons of each side. Rockets with intercontinental range can within minutes reach and destroy the cities of the opponent. The death of many millions would be the consequence.

The nuclear stalemate prevents the outbreak of a hot war between the superpowers and leads eventually to arms control talks between the US and the USSR. It is an essential goal therein to limit the circle of nuclear powers - at the time totaling five (US, USSR, Great Britain, France, and the People's Republic of China). Both superpowers seek thereby to increase the global safeguards against an accidental nuclear conflict while preserving their own power position. In July 1968 the UK, the US, and the USSR conclude the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The other nuclear powers - France and the People's Republic of China - decline their signature. By 1991 142 countries have acceded to the treaty, obligating themselves not to acquire nuclear weapons and to use nuclear energy only for peaceful purposes.

A series of additional agreements marks the road toward détente. Since the beginning of 1969 the US and USSR have conducted talks about restricting strategic nuclear weapons (SALT). The SALT-1 Agreement is signed in Moscow by US President Richard Nixon and the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev. This establishes ceilings for specific nuclear vehicles.

In 1971 the US, USSR, Great Britain, and France sign the Four-Power Agreement on the Status of Berlin. This confirms the right of the Western allies to station troops in West Berlin. The city is assured its viability and its relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany can continue to develop. The population of West Berlin draws a breath of relief: their freedom is now ensured by international covenant.