The Brezhnev Era, 1972–1985: The Extent of Détente up to 1979 - Ostpolitik and Helsinki Accords Flashcards
Timeline of main events in Ostpolitik and the development of European détente
• 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
What does Ostpolitik mean?
- Term used to describe new open approach taken by FRG towards Eastern European states
What were the official names of East and West Germany?
• East Germany
- German Democratic Republic (GDR)
• West Germany
- Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)
Willy Brandt
- 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
What territorial change did Willy Brandt seek to recognise?
- Creation of the Oder-Neisse border between East Germany and Poland
Who was appointed as chancellor of West Germany? When did this happen?
- Willy Brandt
- October 1969
Hallstein Doctrine
- 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
When was the Hallstein Doctrine created?
- 1955
Non-Aggression Pact
- August 1970
- Between FRG and USSR
Erich Honecker
- May 1971
- GDR Communist Party chief, Walter Ulbricht, resigns
- Replaced by Erich Honecker
- Ulbricht known as ‘last Stalinist’
- Allows for Ostpolitik
Basic Treaty
• 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
When was the Basic Treaty created? When did it come into official effect?
- December 1972
- June 1973
What was the significance of the Basic Treaty?
- Critical moment to European détente
- Settled relations between GDR and FRG
- Encouraged other European states to establish relations with GDR
Give examples of states that opened diplomatic relations with GDR following the Basic Treaty
• February 1973
- UK
- France
• December 1974
- US
UN
- By the end of September 1973
- Both the GDR and FRG were members of the UN
- Furthered European détente
By when had both Germanies joined the UN?
- By end of September 1973
Helsinki Accords
- 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
What were the 3 baskets made as part of the Helsinki Accords?
- 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
Give examples of agreements made under the 3 baskets of the Helsinki Accords
• 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
When were the Helsinki Accords made? How many states were involved and which ones?
- Over 1972 – August 1975
- 35 states
- US
- Whole of Europe, except Albania
When and where was the first follow-up meeting for the Helsinki supposed to take place?
- Belgrade
- Late 1977
What was the Soviet position on the Helsinki Accords?
• 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
What was the American position on the Helsinki Accords?
• 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
Treaty of Warsaw
- December 1970
- FRG signs treaty with Poland
- Recognised post-war Oder-Neisse border
