In addition to “Peaceful Coexistence”, Ostpolitik in early 1970’s also helped with Détente. An initiative of Willy Brandt, chancellor of West Germany, its short-term goal was to normalize and improve relations between West Germany and the East Bloc and its long term goal was the reunification of Germany. It was because of Brandt’s new policy, President Johnson’s speech 1966 concerning a possible reunification of Germany would be “a result of détente, not a prerequisite,” French ambitions to improve relations and trade with the U.S.S.R and NATO’s “flexible response” posture which states that since Warsaw Pact had greater non-nuclear forces, NATO would use nuclear weapons. This puts West Germany in a vulnerable position, thus Willie Brandt decided to initiate Ostpolitik. Prior to Willie Brandt’s arrival, West Germany’s policies were centered around the Hallstein Doctrine which stated that “West Germany would not recognize East Germany or any other country that recognized East Germany, except the Soviet Union.” This meant that West Germany would no recognize the entire East Bloc with the exception of the U.S.S.R. Brandt did not accept this doctrine and begin vigorously pursuing Ostpolitik instead. In 1970, Willie began by signing a non-aggression pact with the U.S.S.R acknowledging the existing European frontiers including that between the two Germany’s. He also signed a series of agreements from 1971-1973 which involved mutual recognition to the UN and recognition that West Germany was a member of NATO and East Germany a member of the Warsaw Pact. Along with diplomatic relations with Hungary and Bulgaria, West Germany also officially and formally recognized the Oder-Neisse Line as a border between Poland and West Germany. They also signed an official treaty with Czechoslovakia nullifying the Munich Pact. In both instances, West Germany proved to the East that they had no revanchist ambitions. Ostpolitik was significant in that West Germany were willing to abandon their old policies in favor of a wider East-West détente process.
The 1970’s Détente was a phase dedicated to improve East-West Relations. It was pursed by the United States under President Nixon & Secretary of State Kissinger as well as Brezhnev of the U.S.S.R. Nixon began by introducing greater flexibility into the American policy of détente because they were great economic opportunities in the Soviet Union and saw this as a potential market because of their trade deficit and depreciating dollar. Kissinger, under his theory of “international peace based upon interdependence” stated that by assisting the U.S.S.R, they could expect the Russian people to support internal reforms in the political and administrative systems. Moreover, the Soviet Union had economic difficulties, so they badly needed Western technology, investment credits and grain because of their persistent agricultural crisis. These new opportunities would help both countries to offset the cost of Cold War which was increasing becoming a burden. In addition to the economic difficulties, there was also the possibility of nuclear war. By 1970, five nations, the U.S, U.S.S.R, China, U.K and France had nuclear weapons thus, a serious of agreements were made under Arms Control. Arms Control was initiated as early as 1946, was pushed as further attempt to limit the arsenals of their respective nations. It allowed crisis management measures, the realization of costs (that were too high) and military détente which was a confidence building measure designed to ease tension. It broke the cycle of parallel escalation and it reinforced the ‘Deterrent Doctrine’ which states that the potential aggressor would be deterred from using Nuclear weapons because the consequences would be too high.
In 1963, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed by the U.S, U.S.S.R and U.K that states nuclear tests can only be carried out underground to avoid polluting the atmosphere. In addition to the “hot line” telephone link between the White House and Kremlin which allowed fast consultation in case of emergency, this agreement was a direct result from the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. President Kennedy demanded the removal of Soviet missiles in Cuba and U.S.S.R agreed providing the U.S removed their missiles from Turkey. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty (SALT) was a bilateral agreement between the U.S and the U.S.S.R to limit the number of Anti Ballistic Missile systems and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM( Launchers. Although it didn’t address the Maneuverable Independently Reentry-targatable Vehicle (MIRV) and deterrent issue SALT I successfully limited the growth of nuclear weapons and successfully lead to an improved agreement in SALT II. SALT II signed in 1979 on the other hand, replaced the interim agreement of SALT I with a long term comprehensive treaty. In addition, it also limited the number of ICBM’s and MIRV’s. Based on their provisions, SALT I and SALT II was a success because both agreed to limit the number of AMB’s and both agreed to freeze the production of nuclear bombers and range missiles. Even though, it did not specifically ‘reduced’ Arms in either country it still stopped the production of the arms. Regardless, these agreements could still be considered a success because both superpowers were agreeing to work together to achieve peaceful coexistence. In addition to these agreements, the Helsinki Accord was signed in 1975. It states that the U.S, U.S.S.R, Canada and almost all the European states accept post World War II frontiers including the official recognition of the two Germany’s. Moreover, communist countries promised to respect Human Rights which include freedom of speech and freedom to leave the country. Because of the economic difficulties and the realization of a possible nuclear war, both superpowers and their respective blocs agreed reinforce détente and with the Helsinki Accords, SALT I & SALT II, the superpowers effectively controlled and reduced their nuclear arsenals.
Since the Soviet-Since Schism became apparent in the 1960’s over ideological and territorial differences, the U.S became adamant to get China on its side. The “China Card” was the counterweight to the U.S.S.R and it was under the initiatives of President Nixon that the U.S ended a trade embargo on China and supported China’s admission to the United Nations, “The United States and China seem to have no fundamental interest that need collide in the wider sweep of history.” Nixon also visited Beijing and by 1979, the U.S gave officially recognition to China. This gave massive prestige to Mao, and from the U.S point of view, it might induce Moscow to improve relations with the U.S so it wouldn’t be encircled. It also opened up trading opportunities to both countries. Thus, the Sino-American Rapprochement was a success to both nations and a success to détente.
Through “Peaceful Coexistence”, Ostpolitik, improved relations & economic opportunities between the U.S & U.S.S.R, Arms Control agreements, and the reduction of differences between the U.S and China, détente was a success. Through a continuing process of managing relations and relaxing tensions, it became more apparent that the differences between capitalist and communist nations must be put aside. “Peaceful Coexistence” and Ostpolitik were examples of both sides trying to achieve an East-West dialogue and the Arms Control agreements such as SALT I and SALT II was a success because even though nuclear weapons weren’t reduce, it was still limited thus proving significant, that both U.S and the U.S.S.R were working together to achieve peace.
