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

Non-Aggression Pact

Answer 8

• August 1970

- Between FRG and USSR

Question 9

Erich Honecker

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Basic Treaty

Answer 10

• 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 11

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

Answer 11

• December 1972

- June 1973

Question 12

What was the significance of the Basic Treaty?

Answer 12

• Critical moment to European détente
• Settled relations between GDR and FRG
• Encouraged other states to establish relations with GDR and recognise it, inc. USA and FRG in 1974
• Agreed to develop neighbourly relations

Question 13

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

Answer 13

• February 1973

• UK
• France

• December 1974
- US

Question 14

How was Germany in UN

Answer 14

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

Question 15

By when had both Germanies joined the UN?

Answer 15

• By end of September 1973

Question 16

When was The Moscow Treaty

Answer 16

Aug 1970

Question 17

What did the Moscow Treaty do?

Answer 17

Increased links between USSR and FRG, recognised each other
FRG agreed to abandon Hallestein doctrine
Germanies would become UN members
Word “immutable” (unchangeable) changed to “inviolable” (not to be attacked/ violated) about eh Oder-Neisse line, kept open room for possible peaceful revision of the line, shows improving relations

Question 18

When was the Warsaw Treaty

Answer 18

Dec 1970

Question 19

What did the Warsaw Treaty do

Answer 19

FRG and Poland recognised that they had no territorial demands of each
Trade and financial assistance to FRG would increase
Ethnic Germans in Poland allowed to emigrate to FRG

Question 20

When was the Treaty of Prague

Answer 20

1973

Question 21

What did the Treaty of Prague do?

Answer 21

FRG and Czechoslovakia recognised each other

Question 22

When was the Berlin 4 Power Treaty Signed

Answer 22

Sept 1971

Question 23

What did the the Berlin 4 Power Treaty agree to

Answer 23

Soviets agreed to 3 principles:
- Unimpeded traffic between W. Berlin and FRG
- Recognition of W. Berlin’s ties with the FRG
- the right for West Berliners to visit Easr Berlin

in return Western Powers agreed that:
- Western sectors of Berlin were not legally part of the FRG

Question 24

What meant the Soviets were more willing to make concessions in the Berlin 4 Power Treaty?

Answer 24

Improving US-Sino relations

Question 25

when were the Helsinki Accords

Answer 25

1972 - Aug 1975

Question 26

Helsinki Accords

Answer 26

- 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 - high point of European detente

Question 27

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

Answer 27

- 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 28

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

Answer 28

• 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 29

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

Answer 29

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

Question 30

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

Answer 30

- Belgrade | - Late 1977

Question 31

What was the Soviet position on the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 31

• 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 32

What was the American position on the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 32

• 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 33

Why can it be argued the Helsinki Accords were more of a success for the USSR

Answer 33

It was a form of recognition of the Soviets empire