Ostpolitik

Ostpolitik or Eastern Politics describes the realisation of the "Change through Rapprochement" principle, verbalised by Egon Bahr in 1963, by the effort of Willy Brandt, Chancellor of West Germany, to normalize relations with Eastern European nations including East Germany.

Development

Discussions between Brandt and East German leader Willi Stoph began quickly, but no formal settlement was reached as Brandt was unwilling to recognize the East as a sovereign state. In 1970 the Treaty of Moscow was signed between West Germany and the Soviets and quickly afterwards treaties with Poland (Treaty of Warsaw in 1970) and other Eastern Bloc states were signed.

Related Topics:
Willi Stoph - Treaty of Moscow - Treaty of Warsaw - 1970

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The most controversial agreement was the Basic Treaty of 1972 that created mutual recognition between the FRG and GDR as two separate states (though explicitly not as two separate nations). This was staunchly opposed by West German conservatives who felt the policy would result in a permanent division of Germany; to assuage them, Brandt took a very tough stance at the same time against radical leftists within West Germany itself. This agreement also made it possible for the two states to become members of the United Nations soon afterwards.

Related Topics:
Basic Treaty - FRG - GDR - United Nations

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Some elements in the United States were concerned about their ally's new policies, worried about possible Finlandization. The easing of tensions on the European continent, however, helped to produce a general Détente between the superpowers, and the lessening of the Eastern Bloc's siege mentality is considered by many to be one of the factors that eventually led to Gorbachev and the end of the Cold War.

Related Topics:
United States - Finlandization - Détente - Siege mentality - Gorbachev - Cold War

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