Detente: The Helsinki Accords 1975

Ostopolitik

Movement towards detente that was advance by the West German leader Willy Brandt designed to improve relationships between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries.

Origins of Ostopolitik

• Underlying objective of Western German leaders was the reunification of Germany.
  
• 1969 - new government formed in West Germany under the leadership of Brandt who felt contact with the eastern bloc was the best way to establish and stabilise relations.
• Brandt signed the The Treaty of Moscow (1970) and the Basic Principles Treaty (1972).
• In doing so he acepted the existing borders between Eastern and Western Germany.
• For Brandt this was the first stage in a dialogue with East Germany that he hoped would lead to reunification.

Ostopolitik and Eastern Europe

• Eastern bloc countries welcomed Ostopolitik for two reasons:
  • It would help improve trade relations with the west.
  • It would give them access to Western technology.

The Helsinki Accords 1975

• Improving relations led to the Helsinki Accords.
• They were issued following an international conference involving 33 countries including the Soviet Union.
• …