Topic 7: Evolution of bipolar Europe: tensions and cooperation

Question 1

Berlin Wall (1961)
officially named “Anti-Fascist Protective Rampart”

Answer 1

• Berlin as an internationalized city.
• concentration of tensions
• Population transfer from GDR to GFR. pre-wall building, 3.5 million East Germans moved to GFR.
• West Berlin regime based on the “three essentials” established by NATO (1961)
• 1958: new crisis in Berlin. GDR limits terrestrial traffic between GFR and West Berlin. On November 10th Kruschev presents some demands to Western Allied powers.
• 1961: GDR begins construction of the wall that separated EB + WB and surrounded West Berlin - Stemming defection from east to west Berlin.
• Different (internal & external) checkpoints established.

Question 2

Paneuropeism

Answer 2

• “Complex network of contacts between Eastern and Western Europeans that, sometimes, contradict the interests of the two superpowers”
  
  • Double dimension:
    
    • Germany (Ostpolitik)
    • Multilateral (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe – 1975)

Question 3

Ostpolitik

Answer 3

new german foreign policy towards eastern countries to participate in a shared future. begun late 1960s.
Willy Brandt commitment to normalize the relations between GFR and CEECs, specially with GDR.
Brandt has to face 3 questions/conditions:
* To solve border problem (Oder-Neisse line)
* Final status of Berlin
* Situation regarding GDR

Question 4

German reunification (1989-90)

Answer 4

• Starting point: GDR economic slowdown at mid-80s + “armed peace” + change in GDR-USSR relations.
• Triggers:
  
  • Borders with Austria open (1989) & exodus of East Germans towards GFR
  • Demonstrations in GDR - consequence of rigged elections 1989
  • Opening of the Berlin Wall (09/11/89)
• 10 point program
• Monetary, Economic & Social Union (1990) [The First State Treaty].
• The Unification Treaty 1990
• Final Settlement Treaty (1990): “2+4 Treaty”

Question 5

10 point program

Answer 5

First steps: 1989, Helmut Kohl (GFR Chancellor) presents at the Budestag a 10 points programme for the unity of Germany in which the development towards a unified Germany was linked to the development of East-West relations: humanitarian aid for the exiled; GDR democratization; common institutions, EU-GDR trade agreement, etc.

Question 6

Treaty establishing a Monetary, Economic and Social Union between GFR and GDR (1990)

Answer 6

(1990) [The First State Treaty]: The GFR Deutsche Mark substitutes GDR mark as official currency in both territories and creation of a Unity Fund (subsidies).

Question 7

The Unification Treaty (1990)

Answer 7

The Unification Treaty between the FRG and the GDR (Berlin, 31 August 1990)

adopted by GFR and GDR in 20/09/90 and came into force in 03/10/90.

There were 2 constitutional options for reunification: 1) accession of GDR länders to GFR structure (art.23); 2) merge of both states creating a new German state (art.146)

Question 8

Final Settlement Treaty (1990)

Answer 8

Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (12/09/90): “2+4 Treaty” signed in Moscow by GFR and GDR (2) and US-USSR-UK-France (4).

Treaty that autorizes German reunification and “technically” puts an end to WWII: The 4 Allied occupying powers terminate their rights and responsibilities relating to Berlin and to Germany as a whole.

Question 9

Gorbachev impact (1985):
Soviet Structural problems

Answer 9

• Soviet structural problems become visible at 1980s:
  
  • Artificial economy
  • Increasing social crisis
  • Popular descontent
  • Strong economic burden from Soviet military forces + assistance to Communist developing countries
    Nationalist movements at the Republics

Question 10

Gorbachev impact (1985)

Answer 10

• Need to rebuild political & economic systems: Perestroika
• Strong linkage between changes in foreign policy – changes in domestic policy
• IMPORTANT:
  
  • revolutionary changes ≠ revolution
  • Soviet dual executive system (government vs. CPSU)
  • collapse of the Soviet system implies 2 interrelated processes: (1) transformation of the regime itself; (2) disintegration of the Soviet Union

Question 11

Perestroika

Answer 11

(“restructuring” in Russian)
refers to a series of political and economic reforms meant to kick-start the stagnant 1980s economy of the Soviet Union.

Its architect: President Gorbachev
policys: stop hunger, transparency and democratisation

But the suddenness of these reforms, coupled with growing instability both inside and out of the Soviet Union, would contribute to the collapse of the U.S.S.R. in 1991.

Question 12

Perestroika: phases of reform

Answer 12

phase (1) - economic boost
* domestic policy = reformist
* foreign policy = renewal
phase (2) - political reform & foreign policy “withdrawal”
* domestic policy = enterprises, political reform
* foreign policy = new detente with US
phase (3) - confused period
* domestic policy = tensions between deepening reforms and retreat
* foreign policy = CFE treaty

Question 13

Interpretations of Perestroika

Answer 13

1. Attempt of reform within the system.
2. Support to parliamentary democracy and market economy.
3. “Aggiornamento” of Socialism.

Why did it fail? Asynchronous economic and political reforms.

Question 14

Gorbachev impact in Foreign Policy

Answer 14

• International economic and political requirements to make Perestroika work:
  
  • International recognition of the renewal
  • Economic resources via international trade
  • Arm expenditure cuttings / Stop assistance to CEECs / Stop assisting Third World regimes