SEM 5: German states’ foreign policies and alliances during the Cold War (1949-90)

1. What were FRG’s most important FP objectives during CW? How successful was it in achieving them?

Integration into W Bloc
- Goal: align with NATO & W EU to ensure security against SU threat
- Success: joined NATO in 1955, securing military protection & strategic importance

Reconciliation with FR & W EU
- Goal: overcome historical tensions, especially with FR to build EU trust & unity
- Success: achieved through 1963 Elysee Treaty, establishing close FR-GER coop
  - Joins European Community -> tied to FR

EU Economic + Political integration
- Goal: Strengthen econ ties within EU to prevent future conflicts/ increase prosperity.
- Success: Helped found European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, became EU

The Hallstein Doctrine (1955–1969)
- Goal: Isolate GDR diplomatically by refusing relations with countries that recognized E GER
- Mixed Success: Initially effective but became unsustainable as more countries recognized the GDR in the 1970s.
  - Ostpolitik (1969–1990)
    - Goal: Normalize relations with GDR & Eastern Bloc, reducing tensions and paving the way for eventual reunification.
      - Would prevent war -> war would result in the complete destruction of GER due to geographical location
    - Success: Led to treaties with E EU (Moscow/Warsaw Treaties, 1970), & Basic Treaty (1972) with GDR, leading to mutual recognition.

Reunification
- Goal: Maintain long-term prospects for reunification despite Cold War divisions.
- Success: Achieved in 1990 following fall of Berlin Wall & end of CW

2. Which were most important international organizations FRG joined? Why were they important?

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – Joined in 1955
- Importance:
  - Provided military security against the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc.
  - Integrated West Germany into the Western defense structure.
  - Allowed W GER to rearm under controlled conditions, overcoming post-WWII restrictions.
  - Strengthened West Germany’s political ties with the US, UK, and France.
European Economic Community (EEC) – Founding Member in 1957
- Importance:
  - Promoted econ integration with FR, ITA, BEL, NETH, LUX
  - Established the foundation for the European Union (EU).
  - Boosted West Germany’s post-war economic recovery (Wirtschaftswunder).
  - Allowed W GER to increase trade influence while reducing reliance on US
European Coal & Steel Community - Founded in 1951
- Bases of modern EU
United Nations (UN) – Joined in 1973
- Joined so late because USSR would have vetoed it -> FRG needed to accept E Bloc
- Importance:
  - Provided full international legitimacy as a sovereign state.
  - Strengthened West Germany’s global diplomatic influence.
  - Allowed active participation in peacekeeping, human rights, development aid efforts.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – Joined in 1961
- Importance:
  - Facilitated economic cooperation with advanced industrial economies.
  - Helped develop policies for sustainable growth, trade, and investment.
G7 (Group of Seven) – Joined in 1975
- Importance:
  - Recognized West Germany as one of the world’s leading economies.
  - Allowed W GER to participate in major econ & financial discussions with US, UK, FR, IT, JP, and CAN
  - Strengthened economic and diplomatic influence in global affairs.
Western European Union (WEU) – Joined in 1954
- Importance:
  - Served as an early European defense cooperation organization.
  - Preceded European security integration, later influencing the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) of the EU.
IMF
World Bank
Bretton Woods

3. Which countries were West Germany’s most important allies during the Cold War? Why were they important?

United States
- Provided security under NATO.
- Played a key role in rebuilding West Germany’s economy via the Marshall Plan.
- Strong political backing for West Germany’s stance against the USSR.
France
- Former rival turned closest European partner (Élysée Treaty, 1963)
- Key ally in European integration and economic cooperation.
  - No stability if FR & GER had bad relations -> most important alliance??
United Kingdom
- Supported West Germany’s rearmament and NATO membership.
- Played a diplomatic role in securing Germany’s place in Western Europe.
Italy & Benelux (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg)
- Co-founders of the EEC, strengthening economic and political ties.

4. What were the German Democratic Republic (GDR)’s main foreign policy objectives? How successful was it in achieving them?

Recognition as a Sovereign State
- Goal: Gain international legitimacy despite West Germany’s efforts to isolate it.
- Success: Achieved widespread recognition after Basic Treaty (1972) & UN membership (1973).
Strengthening Ties with the USSR
- Goal: Ensure Soviet economic and military support.
- Success: Maintained strong ties, but at cost of econ dependence on Moscow.
Supporting Communist and Socialist Movements Worldwide
- Goal: Expand influence by aiding socialist countries (Cuba, Angola, Vietnam, etc.).
- Success: Provided military & technical aid but had limited global influence compared to the USSR
Maintaining Strict Borders (Berlin Wall, 1961)
- Goal: Prevent defections to West Germany.
- Success: Reduced mass emigration but at cost of human rights abuses & negative international perception.
  - W Berlin -> wanted whole of Berlin, then idea of W Berlin becoming free city, built Wall
Economic Cooperation within the Eastern Bloc
- Goal: Strengthen trade within the Comecon system.
- Mixed Success: Econ stagnation by 1980s due to inefficiencies in the socialist model.

5. What were the main international organizations which the GDR joined? Why were they important?

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) – Joined in 1950
- Importance:
  - Integrated the GDR’s economy into the Eastern Bloc.
  - Provided structured trade system with USSR, POL, CZE, HUN, BUL, ROM
  - Encouraged industrial specialization—focused on heavy machinery & electronics.
  - However, inefficiencies & dependence on USSR led to econ stagnation in 1980s
Warsaw Pact – Joined in 1955
- Importance:
  - Served as the Eastern Bloc’s military alliance, countering NATO.
  - Allowed the Soviet Union to station troops in East Germany.
  - Ensured E GER participation in joint military exercises and strategic planning.
  - Played a role in suppressing dissent (CZE 1968, but not directly involved).
United Nations (UN) – Joined in 1973
- Importance:
  - Marked official international recognition of the GDR.
  - Allowed the GDR to engage in diplomatic and trade relations with non-aligned and developing countries.
  - Improved the GDR’s global legitimacy, countering the Hallstein Doctrine.
  - Elected to security council
Non-Aligned Movement (Observer Status)
- Importance:
  - Provided opportunity to build relationships with AF, AS, L AM nations
  - Allowed GDR to support anti-colonial & socialist movements in developing world
  - Helped bypass W econ restrictions by trading with neutral countries
International Olympic Committee (IOC) – Recognized in 1968
- Importance:
  - Allowed GDR to compete separately from W GER in the Olympics.
  - Used as a tool for propaganda, showcasing East German athletic dominance.
  - Boosted international recognition and legitimacy