Ostpolitik and the Helsinki Accords

Question 1

What is Ostpolitik?

Answer 1

A term used to define a new approach to European East-West relations

Question 2

Who triggered ostpolitik?

Answer 2

Willy Brandt

Question 3

What huge barrier to European detente was abanadoned?

Answer 3

Hallstein Doctrine
- West German policy which didn’t recognise East Germany

Question 4

What were Brandt’s objectives for Ostpolitik?

Answer 4

• Recognise East Germany
• Negotiate with USSR
• Settle Poland Border
• Negotiate with GDR

Question 5

What and when was the Non-Aggression Pact?

Answer 5

August 1970
- Pact between West Germany and USSR

Question 6

Signifance of Non-Aggression Pact?

Answer 6

Reduced tensions and risk of war
- Respect eachothers borders and no threats
- Framework of Ostpolitik as improved relations with USSR and Eastern Bloc
- Foundations for further provisions

Question 7

When and who signed Warsaw Treaty?

Answer 7

December 1970
- West Germany and Poland

Question 8

Key features of Warsaw Treaty 70’?

Answer 8

• Recognised Oder-Neisse border
• Germans in Poland could emigrate back to W.Germany

Question 9

When did Honecker replace Ulbricht in E.Germany?

Answer 9

May 1971

Question 10

What did Honecker becoming leader for E.Germany mean?

Answer 10

Committed communist but more pragmatic and flexible in policy and diplomacy
- Accomodate idea of a joint Germany

Question 11

When did both German states sign the agreement to recognise eachother?

Answer 11

December 1972

Question 12

What was Kissinger’s reaction to Basic Treaty and Ostpolitik?

Answer 12

Kissinger realised that the USA must develop détente with the USSR in order to prevent a West German détente from marginalising US influence in Europe.

Question 13

When were both FRG and GDR members of UN?

Answer 13

By the end of 1973

Question 14

When were the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 14

August 1975

Question 15

What event caused the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 15

Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
- Began in 1972
- Security conference attended by all major East and West European countries
- USA also attended

Question 16

How many states attended CSCE and what did they have?

Answer 16

35 and veto

Question 17

What was basket 1 called and its objective?

Answer 17

Security in Europe
- Enhance security and stability by addressing territories and military

Question 18

What were some of the principles in Basket 1?

Answer 18

• Respect for equality amongst states
• Rejection of threat/force
• Recognition of existing borders
• Respect for human rights
• Co-operation
• All signatories agreed to provide advanced notice of large military exercises.

Question 19

What is Basket II called?

Answer 19

Cooperation in the Field of Economics, of Science and Technology and of the Environment

Question 20

What did Basket II address?

Answer 20

• Trade and industrial cooperation
• Transportation
• Science and technology
• Promotion of tourism - Environment
• Issues concerning migrant labour.

Question 21

What was Basket III called?

Answer 21

Cooperation in Humanitarian and Other Fields

Question 22

What did Basket III focus on?

Answer 22

• Pledge to human rights
• Cultural and Educational exchange
• Freer movement of people, information and ideas

Question 23

What were the Soviets 3 main interests is CSCE?

Answer 23

1. Expand Ostpolitik and acceptance of existing borders
2. Reduce trade barriers between E and W Europe
3. Further E and W detente

Question 24

What 2 policies at CSCE were Soviets less interested/didnt want?

Answer 24

1. Human rights
2. Provisions of advanced notice of military exercises

Question 25

Did USSR accept Helsinki Accords?

Answer 25

Yes due to their wider commitment to East-West detente

Question 26

What was the American position to Helsinki accords?

Answer 26

Not fully committed on accepting the political status quo on Eastern Europe - Feared this meant divided Germany and Eastern Europe subservient to USSR - However welcomed relaxed confrontation

Question 27

What is a counter argument to detente?

Answer 27

Continuation of arms race

Question 28

What was Kissinger's position if Salt II was not reached by 1977?

Answer 28

1977 was when SALT I expired - If not agreed there would be an expansion of nuclear technology and number of weapons

Question 29

Who was against SALT under Kissinger?

Answer 29

US Defence Secretary, James Schlesinger - Urged USA to ensure it has technical and strategical superiority over USSR

Question 30

What was Carter faced with regarding USSR and arms in 1978?

Answer 30

Faced with USSR refusal to end the deployment of SS-20 missiles in Europe, or to reduce stocks of heavy missiles – seen as a threat to NATO defence strategy

Question 31

What did Carter convince NATO to do in December 1979?

Answer 31

Cater convinced NATO allies to increase military expenditure by 3%.

Question 32

When was Jimmy Carter elected?

Answer 32

1976

Question 33

Why did Detente come to an end in 1979?

Answer 33

1. Soviets increased influence in Africa and Afghanistan - spread of communism 2. Sovier violations of human rights troubled USA 3. Carter reached agreement with Brezhnev on the Salt II Treaty in June 1979 however was under growing critics at home 4. Breznev’s heath made negotiation with the USSR difficult

Question 34

Successes of Detente

Answer 34

- Basic Treaty of 72 (Acceptance of East Germany by the West) - Reduction in European tension - Reduction in East-West tension

Question 35

Weaknesses of Detente

Answer 35

- Little was achieved as armaments continued to increase - Conflict continued in Third World - Tension between USSR and China remained