2.3 Did the relations between the GDR and FRG improve in the years 1961-85?

Question 1

what was Ostpolitik

Question 2

when was Ostpolitik

Answer 2

1969

Question 3

name the positive improvements from Ostpolitik

Answer 3

• aimed to improve FRG relations with GDR, USSR and other eastern bloc states
• designed to acknowledge the GDR as an independant state. Supported by detente.
• Brandt (FRG politician) met Willi Stoph in Enfurt, GDR 1970 and was welcomed enthusiastically
• agreements reached allowing W. Germans to visit GDR = more contact between the divided families.
• number of visits by West Germans to GDR rose from 1.2 million in 1971 to over 6 million in 1973
• 1971- number of calls between the tow nations increased 6 fold from 1976.
• GDR gained financial support for its economy and more diplomatic recognition- GDR recieved 15 billion DM from FRG and trade benefits.

Question 4

name the negatives from Ostpolitik

Answer 4

• Policy contributed SED and Honecker implementing more repressive policies from 1970 onwards.
• SED began using Abgrenzung (demarcation) emphasising the differences between the GDR and FRG.
• Measures such as the GDR-Soviet friendship treaty 1975 increased solidarity with the USSR
• article 6 of the 1974 constitution stated that the GDR is forever and irrevocable allied with the USSR
• amendments made to constitution to counter political change
• reference to GDR as a socialist state of the German nation was reworded to be a socialist state of workers and peasants.

Question 5

what were the agreements of 1970-72

Answer 5

• Treaty of Moscow 1970- the FRG+ USSR agreed to no territorial claimes against each other
• treaty of Warsaw 1970- FRG accepted the border between GDR and Poland.
• 4 powers agreement 1971- allowed W. Berliners to visit E. Berlin and secured soviet acceptance of this
• basic treaty 1972- key accord saw that FRG+GDR both acknowleged the existance of of each other as states and agreed to settle disputes without threatening/using force

Question 6

whatv were the positive improvements of the agreements from 1970-72

Answer 6

nations with formal relations with GDR increased from 38 in 1972 to 123 by 1978, including US in 1974 due to treaty.

Question 7

what were the negative improvements from the agreements 1970-72

Answer 7

The Guillaume Affair 1973

Question 8

explain the relaxation of travel restrictions

Answer 8

• Christmas 1963- W. Berliners given 24 hour passes to see relatives in E. Berlin - over 1 million took advantage of this
• 1964 - E.B sent pensioners to West Berlin and west berlin given up to 30 days a year in east berlin
• 1971 - communications now easy (1988 saw 40 mill calls a year
• 4 motorways (FRG invested DM 500 mill a year), 4 train routes + canals / rivers as routes into GDR.
• 1984 - 40,000 people applied for visa to leave permitted (potential political opponents - a form of political control).

Question 9

explain the positive outcomes of the relaxation of travel restrictions

Question 10

explain the negative outcomes of the relaxation of travel restrictions

Answer 10

• long waiting list for those in WB wanting to visit
• pensioners were only sent on the off chance they wouldn’t return as they were economically unproductive.

Question 11

explain the positive impact of Ostpolitik

Answer 11

• 1970’s and 80’s living standards improved living standards e.g. cars and tv’s were more widely available and the GDR became the most economically successful out of the Eastern bloc.
• GDR overcame shortage of certain goods and made deals with the GDR (no tariffs or barriers)
• GDR became an unofficial member of the European Economic community (aka EU now) set up in 1927 with FRG was one of 6 original members
• financial support in the manner of subsidies, ransom payments, tax benefits and credit favours

Question 12

explain the negative impact of Ostpolitik

Answer 12

• Honecker indulged in reckless borrowing - on average DM 800 million generated each year from compulsory loans (8% of GDR foreign trade)
• level of trade doubled from DM 8 billion (1978) to DM 15.2 (1986). GDR moving towards FRG generated political issues
• GDR dependant on FRG 1982 liquidity crisis cost solved by secret loans of up to DM 2.2billion.

Question 13

what were the Helsinki accords

Answer 13

• 1975
• agreed by 35 European states that
  1. European borders could not be changed by force
  2. focus on trade and technological links
  3. human rights and freedom of movement.