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
- Treatv 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 lune 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
- lune 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 Il: 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