The Brezhnev Era, 1972–1985: The Extent of Détente up to 1979 - Ostpolitik and Helsinki Accords

Question 1

Timeline of main events in Ostpolitik and the development of European détente

Answer 1

• 1955
- Hallstein Doctrine

• October 1969
- Willy Brandt appointed chancellor of FRG

• August 1970
- Non-Aggression Pact

• December 1970
- Treaty of Warsaw

• May 1971
- GDR Communist Party chief, Walter Ulbricht, resigns and replaced by Erich Honecker

• 1972
- Helsinki Accord meetings begin

• December 1972
- Basic Treaty

• February 1973
- UK and France open diplomatic relations with GDR

• June 1973
- Basic Treaty comes into effect

• By end September 1973
- GDR and FRG part of UN

• December 1974
- US opens diplomatic relations with GDR

• August 1975
- Last Helsinki Accords meeting

• Late 1977
- Plans for follow-up Helsinki Accords meeting in Belgrade

Question 2

What does Ostpolitik mean?

Answer 2

• Term used to describe new open approach taken by FRG towards Eastern European states

Question 3

What were the official names of East and West Germany?

Answer 3

• East Germany
- German Democratic Republic (GDR)

• West Germany
- Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)

Question 4

Willy Brandt

Answer 4

• Appointed as chancellor of West Germany in October 1969
• Chose to abandon Hallstein Doctrine
• Aimed to recognise territorial changes after WWII and negotiate with USSR and GDR

Question 5

What territorial change did Willy Brandt seek to recognise?

Answer 5

• Creation of the Oder-Neisse border between East Germany and Poland

Question 6

Who was appointed as chancellor of West Germany? When did this happen?

Answer 6

• Willy Brandt

- October 1969

Question 7

Hallstein Doctrine

Answer 7

• 1955
• West German policy that aimed at not recognising the existence of East Germany (GDR)
• Wouldn’t form diplomatic relations with states recognising GDR, except the USSR (one of Four Powers of Germany)
• Fundamental barrier to European détente

Question 8

When was the Hallstein Doctrine created?

Answer 8

• 1955

Question 9

Non-Aggression Pact

Answer 9

• August 1970

- Between FRG and USSR

Question 10

Erich Honecker

Answer 10

• May 1971
• GDR Communist Party chief, Walter Ulbricht, resigns
• Replaced by Erich Honecker
• Ulbricht known as ‘last Stalinist’
• Allows for Ostpolitik

Question 11

Basic Treaty

Answer 11

• Date

• Created in December 1972
• Comes into effect in June 1973

• Aim
- To normalise relations between the FRG and GDR

• Agreements

• Developing friendly relations with each other
• Guided by UN Charter to accept sovereign equality, territorial integrity, self-determination and protection of human rights and non-discrimination
• Settle disputes by peaceful means

Question 12

When was the Basic Treaty created? When did it come into official effect?

Answer 12

• December 1972

- June 1973

Question 13

What was the significance of the Basic Treaty?

Answer 13

• Critical moment to European détente
• Settled relations between GDR and FRG
• Encouraged other European states to establish relations with GDR

Question 14

Give examples of states that opened diplomatic relations with GDR following the Basic Treaty

Answer 14

• February 1973

• UK
• France

• December 1974
- US

Question 15

UN

Answer 15

• By the end of September 1973
• Both the GDR and FRG were members of the UN
• Furthered European détente

Question 16

By when had both Germanies joined the UN?

Answer 16

• By end of September 1973

Question 17

Helsinki Accords

Answer 17

• 1972 – August 1975
• 35 states participated: including US and whole of Europe, except Albania
• 3 baskets
• Plans to have follow-up meetings with first to take place in Belgrade in late 1977

Question 18

What were the 3 baskets made as part of the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 18

• Basket I: Security in Europe
• Basket II: Cooperation in the Field of Economics, of Science and Technology and of the Environment
• Basket III: Cooperation in Humanitarian and Other Fields

Question 19

Give examples of agreements made under the 3 baskets of the Helsinki Accords

Answer 19

• Basket I: Security in Europe

• 10 principles
  1. Respect for sovereignty and equality among states
  2. The rejection of the threat or use of force
  3. The peaceful settlement of disputes

• Basket II: Cooperation in the Field of Economics, of Science and Technology and of the Environment
- Addressed trade and industrial cooperation, transportation, science and technology, the promotion of tourism, the environment, and issues concerning migrant labour

• Basket III: Cooperation in Humanitarian and Other Fields

• Focused on cultural and educational exchange
• Sought to encourage the freer movement of people, information and ideas

Question 20

When were the Helsinki Accords made? How many states were involved and which ones?

Answer 20

• Over 1972 – August 1975
• 35 states
• US
• Whole of Europe, except Albania

Question 21

When and where was the first follow-up meeting for the Helsinki supposed to take place?

Answer 21

• Belgrade

- Late 1977

Question 22

What was the Soviet position on the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 22

• Aims

• To expand Ostpolitik and acceptance of status quo in Central and Eastern Europe
• To decrease barriers between states to increase trade
• To further process of East-West détente

• Views on terms

• Concerned about no external interference in internal affairs of USSR and satellite states
• Less interested on respect for human rights agreement
• Reluctance to accept advanced notices of military exercises
• Wanted to promote East-West détente so accepted conditions

Question 23

What was the American position on the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 23

• Accepting status quo

• US not fully committed
• Meant accepting a divided Germany and Eastern Europe under Moscow’s control

• NATO
- Feared that as Western Europe felt more secure, there would be less support for military programmes within NATO

• East-West détente
- Welcomed East-West cooperation and less confrontation

Question 24

Treaty of Warsaw

Answer 24

• December 1970
• FRG signs treaty with Poland
• Recognised post-war Oder-Neisse border