The Extent to Which the Two Germanys Contribute to the Dtente Policy in Europe during the 1970s - Essay Example

Introduction Détente is French word, which refers to the relaxing of tensions between warring parties. Détente policy, also referred as Nixon Doctrine emerged to release tensions between the two superpowers, United States and the Soviet Union. In the height of the cold war, in 1970s, tensions rose and fell endless times. This policy came into play with the aim that it would bring permanent relationships between the Soviet Union and the U.S. Different viewpoints led to increased conflicts between the two superpowers. This essay seeks to explore the policy of Détente. Primarily, the essay will focus on how the two German countries contributed to this policy in Europe during the 1970s. The extent to which the two Germanys contribute to the détente policy in Europe during the 1970s President Richard Nixon of USA signed the SALT I treaty with USSR counterpart Leonid Brezhnev. This marked the beginning of detente, a new era in the cold war. Both west and East Germany had a role to play in the propagation of détente policy in Europe. The first efforts towards the realization of détente came from Chancellor Willy Brandt of West Germany. He developed ostpolitik, which gave birth to the Moscow treaty signed in 1970 (Loth 2002, p28). This treaty facilitated negotiations with countries allied to the Soviet Union. Under this treaty, Bonn recognized renounced the territorial claims that German had in the east. In April of 1971, the General Secretary of Soviet Union announced intentions to sign an arms control agreement (Klaus &Ann 2001, p80). West German negotiations led to the signing of a treaty between West and East Germany in 1972. The cold war had brought conflicts between Western and Eastern Europe. When Willy Brandt took over as Chancellor, he aimed at reconciling Europe. With his ostpolitik policy, he entered into an agreement with the Soviet Union (Oliver, 2011). An agreement reached in 1971 allowed people of West Berlin to visit East Berlin. Brandt sought to ease tensions between the east and the west in Central Europe. This he did to avoid any conflict that would see Germany as the main battlefield (Shaw 2000, p60). The cold war had separated Europe, with some European countries siding with the United States, while others supported the Soviet Union. Further, the war had an impact on the separation witnessed in Germany (Boyle 2000, p488). Another West German leader who can be attributed to the propagation of détente is Genscher. During the era of détente, he held office as the minister of interior. Later on, he became vice chancellor and foreign minister. Genscher came up with a policy on human rights. His policy became central in the advancement of détente policy in Europe. He emphasized on the need to bring an end to the cold war. Genscher urged European nations to contribute in ending tensions between the superpowers (Klaus &Ann 200, p 81). As (Loth 2002, p30) observes, establishment of the Hallstein Doctrine during the 1950s had negatively affected the relationships between West Germany and Eastern Europe. This triggered Brandt to initiate negotiations with the communists. Top government officials from the federal republic of Germany held talks with German Democratic republic (GDR). Following the talks, Brandt did not recognize GDR as a sovereign state. This meeting opened communication lines between the two German sides. West Germany signed an agreement with the Soviet Union and the United States. They signed a treaty that normalized relations between the superpowers. As a result, U.S and the Soviet Union surrendered the use of force (Boyle 2000, p488). During his chancellorship, Brandt used West Germany’s economic and strategic influence. He brought a United Western Europe, which remained a close ally of the United States. Europe also formed close and reliable ties with communist nations allied to the Soviet Union (Shaw 2001, p70). The German government led by Brandt achieved in signing a treaty of non aggression with the Soviet Union. In addition, relations with Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany normalized. As a result, other European countries adopted détente, which became the basis of interactions between communists and capitalists (Oudenaren, 1991 p68). In the practice of détente, Brandt challenged communist nations in Eastern Europe to improve relations with those in the West. This, he argued, would bring more freedom to the people of Europe. European nations saw détente as a much lesser threat to the peace and stability. Germany emphasized the need to have a united Europe to allow for economic improvement. European nations employed the strategies and doctrines of détente; this allowed for an improved life. Communist and Capitalist nations no longer feared one another; tensions declined between the nations (Hofman 2007, p42). The treaty of Warsaw, signed in 1970 by Poland and Federal republic of Germany (West Germany) contributed to the détente policy. This treaty contained similar terms to those in the treaty of Moscow. Under this treaty, Poland agreed to allow the Germans in their country to go back to West Germany (Oliver, 2011). The treaty of Moscow together with the treaty of Warsaw led to the four powers agreement. This agreement sought to end the cold war in Europe and ease tensions between communists and capitalists. Under this agreement, West Berlin ceased to be a territory of the federal republic of Germany. Therefore, this treaty contributed to the spread of détente in the whole of Europe (Oudenaren 1991, p 70). The agreement propagated the policy of détente by allowing for negotiations between West Berlin and East German. The two German sides agreed to allow West Berliners to make visits to East Berlin. These improved relations between the two German sides. Consequently, the entire Europe became united as countries sought to end tensions. European countries, allied to either the Soviet Union or the United States, embraced moves aimed at ending the cold war (McAdams1985, p20). Therefore, it can be argued that the two German countries made significant contributions to the détente policy in Europe. The treaties they signed and improved relations between them encouraged the rest of European countries. Further negotiations between West Germany and East Germany resulted to the advancement of the détente policy. The superpowers recognized the need for unifying West and East Germany. A more comprehensive treaty, the basic treaty, led to improved relation between the two German sides. In this treaty, the two sides formed relations based on equality. As a result, other European nations saw the need for ending tensions. End of conflicts between West and East Germany meant that communist and capitalist countries would relax tensions. Thus, the détente policy spread in Europe due to the peaceful relations between East and West Germany (McAdams, 1985). Eastern Europe states allied themselves to the Soviet Union and communist ideals. Brandt’s policy towards the east portrayed West Germany’s efforts towards détente in Europe. East Germany, which had allied itself to the Soviet Union, embraced the policy of détente. Under the leadership of Brandt, West Germany succeeded in convincing European countries such as Poland to undertake détente (Wallensteen, 1985 p 2). The improved relations between West Germany, East Germany, and Poland contributed significantly to the spread of détente. The two German countries, therefore, played a notable role in spreading the policy of détente in Europe. With the numerous treaties signed, détente became common in Europe. Most nations denounced conflicts caused by the cold war (Ludlow, 2007). Following the approval of Basic Treaty, West Germany recognized East Germany as a separate state. Under this treaty, both Eastern and Western Germany became unified. This unity improved relations between the two states. Additionally, détente became widely known in Europe. As the tensions between the two countries relaxed other European Nations borrowed from Germany (Hofman, 2007). The two German states contributed to détente in their support of the Helsinki agreement of 1975. The European conference on Security and Co-operation developed this treaty to improve relations between the western world and the communist nations. This treaty provided freedom of movement for people and ideas in Europe. As a result, European countries adopted détente and worked towards reducing tensions (Oudenaren 1999, p72). In the works of Ludlow, (2007, p 58), East and West Germany used to be regional powers in Europe. This placed these two states in positions whereby they could easily influence change in Europe. West Germany’s support of détente can be seen as a way of expanding America’s policies. Ostpolitik portrayed America’s strategy to bring peace. It was merely the aim of Americans to negotiate with the communists. As Oliver (2011) states, West Germany adopted the doctrine of Ostpolitik, which it spread, throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. As a result, European countries started to coexist peacefully, without much influence from the cold war. Germany made efforts to spread détente and enhance trade between communists and capitalists countries. As a result, Tensions of the cold war declined in Europe. Wallensteen (1985, p 3) state that both German nations contributed to détente with their support of the Strategic Arms Limitation talks. Under this agreement, America and the Soviet Union agreed to give up some of their armaments. This treaty limited antiballistic missiles; this ended the emerging competition in defensive systems. This affected their European allies directly; they reduced tensions between themselves, which could have triggered violence in Europe. Consequently, détente gained popularity in Europe. Boyle notes that Communists and Capitalists tensions reduced as most countries sought peaceful coexistence. Based on this, therefore, it can be noted that the two German states made significant contributions to the détente policy in Europe (Boyle 2008, p 488). Thus, in conclusion the essay has discussed the contributions of West and East Germany to détente policy in Europe. Through ostopolitik, Germany contributed to détente. Détente included a period of relaxed tensions between the two superpowers, Soviet Union and the United States. Numerous treaties signed during the 1970s played a crucial role in the spread of détente. Such treaties include the Warsaw treaty, Moscow treaty, SALT I, and the Helinski agreement. The two German countries contributed to the détente policy in Europe. Unity between the two states brought relaxed tensions to the rest of the European nations. Reference List: Boyle, P. (2000)"The Cold War Revisited: Review Article," Journal of Contemporary History, Vol. 35, No. 3 p. 488. Hofman, A. (2007). The emergence of détente in Europe: Brandt, Kennedy and the formation of Ostpolitik. New York, NY: Routledge. Klaus, L, Ann, L. (2001). The Cold War: the essential readings. Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell.  Loth, W. (2002).Overcoming the Cold War: a history of détente, 1950-1991. UK, London: Palgrave Macmillan. Ludlow, P. (2007).European integration and the Cold War: Ostpolitik-Westpolitik, 1965-1973. New York, N.Y: Routledege. McAdams, J. (1985). East Germany and detente: building authority after the wall. London: Cambridge University Press.  Oudenaren, J.V. (1991). Détente in Europe: the Soviet Union and the West since 1953. Durham: Duke University Press. Oliver, B. (2011). Ostpolitik as a source of intra-bloc tension. Retrieved 22 Feb. 2012. www.ostpolitik.net/ostpolitik/.../index.html Shaw, T. (2001). The Politics of Cold War Culture. Journal of Cold War Studies, 3:3, pp. 59-76 Wallensteen, P. (1985). American-Soviet Detente: What Went Wrong? Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 22, No. 1 pp. 1-8. Sage Publications, Ltd.   Read More