The "Ostpolitik" of the social-liberal coalition

The rising threat of a nuclear war
The conflict between the two superpowers eventually emerging after the second World War, brought the world on the verge of a nuclear war during the Cuban Missile crisis 1962. During these five days between 22.-27. 10. 1962 the leaders of the two blocks realised the danger of aggressive policies and established a direct phone line between the headquarters in Washington DC and the Kremlin in Moscow.
The position of Germany during the beginning of the Cold War
Since the Cold War had its origins in the destruction of the German “Drittes Reich” (Engl. “Third Reich”) Europe and especially Germany played a special role during the Cold War. Immediately after the occupation of the Allies the signs of the Potsdam conference signalised a separation of Germany.
Eventually the creation of the German Federal Republic (BRD) in the Zones of France, Britain and the USA was responded by the Soviet military administration with a socialist German state, the German Democratic Republic (DDR). During the first years of the Cold War the gap between the two German states had widened up. The BRD became a member of NATO in 1955 while DDR was forced to join the Warsaw Pact in the same year.
The separation of Germany was brought to a climax as Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union after Stalin, decided to set up a wall in Berlin on August 13th to separate the eastern part from the western part, in order to prevent East- German citizens from escaping into the West.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction
• I.a) Thesis Statement
• I.b) Note on sources
• I.c) Note on research methodology
• II. Socio-political changes in the BRD: The late 1960s and early 70s
• II.a) The failure of the West-German Foreign Policy
• II.b) Slight change in the Foreign policies of the Federal Republic
• II.c) Transformations in the West-German society
• III. The Berlin Wall 1961
• Brandt in Berlin: Governing Major in the divided city
• The creation of the Grand Coalition between CDU and SPD.
• Involvement of the SPD and Willy Brand in foreign policies
• The social-liberal coalition of SPD and FDP:
• Changes in the policies concerning the interior and the foreign affairs
• Visions for peaceful change in Geopolitics
• The East Treaties of the Brandt - Scheel government, perspectives for German reunification?
• III.a) Short summaries of the Treaties
• The Moscow - Treaty
• The Warsaw - Treaty
• The \"Grundlagen\" - Treaty between BRD and DDR
• III.b) The East - Treaties in the context of an international détente
• Ostpolitik and the USA
• Ostpolitik and the UK
• Ostpolitik and France
• III.c) Resistance of the CDU/CSU opposition and ratification of the treaties
• IV. Conclusion
• IV.a) German domestic politics
• IV.b) Geopolitics

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This term paper examines the changes implemented by the social-liberal coalition led by Willy Brandt in West Germany during the early 1970s. It analyzes the "Ostpolitik" policy and its effects on domestic, European, and global politics. The paper aims to demonstrate how Brandt's approach towards Eastern European countries, particularly the East Treaties, improved relations between East and West Germany, and contributed to a relaxation of tensions between the Cold War blocs. It will also explore the criticism Brandt's government faced for its "Ostpolitik" policy.

• The impact of the social-liberal coalition under Willy Brandt on West German policies
• The "Ostpolitik" policy's role in improving relations between East and West Germany
• The influence of "Ostpolitik" on the Cold War and international détente
• The domestic and international criticisms of Brandt's government
• The significance of "Ostpolitik" in shaping German reunification and European politics

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of Willy Brandt's "Ostpolitik" and the historical context of the Cold War. It outlines the thesis statement of the paper and highlights the significance of the policy in shaping relations between East and West Germany and contributing to international détente.
• Socio-political changes in the BRD: The late 1960s and early 70s: This chapter analyzes the political and social climate in West Germany during the late 1960s and early 1970s, focusing on the failure of traditional West German foreign policy and the rise of the social-liberal coalition under Willy Brandt. It discusses the transformations within West German society and the emergence of new political priorities.
• The Berlin Wall 1961: This chapter explores the historical context of the Berlin Wall and its impact on relations between East and West Germany. It examines the political climate in Berlin and the rise of Brandt as a key figure in the divided city.
• The East Treaties of the Brandt - Scheel government, perspectives for German reunification?: This chapter delves into the key elements of the East Treaties signed by Brandt's government. It discusses the Moscow Treaty, the Warsaw Treaty, and the Grundlagen Treaty, examining their potential impact on German reunification and the broader geopolitical landscape.
• The East - Treaties in the context of an international détente: This chapter analyzes the significance of the East Treaties within the context of international détente. It explores the responses of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to the Brandt government's policies.
• Resistance of the CDU/CSU opposition and ratification of the treaties: This chapter examines the opposition to Brandt's "Ostpolitik" from the CDU/CSU parties. It discusses the arguments against the East Treaties and the process of their ratification.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This term paper focuses on the key themes of Willy Brandt, "Ostpolitik," German reunification, Cold War, détente, East Treaties, social-liberal coalition, and international relations. It explores the concept of "Ostpolitik" as a crucial step in improving relations between East and West Germany and contributing to a relaxation of tensions between the Cold War blocs.

Details

• College: Vrije University Brussel (Vesalius College)
• Grade: B
• Author: Arne Noack (Author)
• Publication Year: 2003
• Pages: 22
• Catalog Number: V20471
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638243353
• ISBN (Book): 9783638726474
• Language: English
• Tags: Ostpolitik