Ostpolitik and Helsinki Accords Flashcards
(11 cards)
What does Ostpolitik mean?
A new approach to European East-West relations
What triggered Ostpolitik?
Appointment of Willy Brandt as chancellor of West Germany in October 1969
What did Willy Brandt choose to do?
Abandon the Hallstein Doctrine from 1955
-West German policy of not recognising existence of East Germany
What was signed in August 1970?
Non-Aggression Pact
-Both sides agreed to not use force and resolve disputes peacefully
What was signed 7th December 1970?
West Germany signed a treaty with Poland that recognised the post-war Oder-Neisse border
Basic Treaty?
21st December 1972
-Two Germanies signed an agreement formally recognising each other
What were FRG and GDR both members of by September 1973?
The UN
What was the outcome of the Basic Treaty?
-Settled relations between East and West Germany
-Provided the route by which other European nations could establish relations with the GDR
What were the three baskets part of the Helsinki Accords?
-Security in Europe
-Cooperation in the Field of Economics, of Science and Technology of the Environment
-Cooperation in Humanitarian and Other Fields
What were the Soviets’ three main interests in the Helsinki Accords?
-To expand Ostpolitik and develop wider acceptance of the status quo in Central and Eastern Europe
-To decrease barriers between states in order to increase economic activity and trade
-To further the process of East-West detente
What reservations did the USA have over the Helsinki Accords?
Feared that agreeing to the Accords meant accepting a divided Germany and an Eastern Europe subservient to the USSR
