Brandt 1969-74

• Willy Brandt led the first SPD government in the FRG and people had high expectations of his ministry. Brandt seemed to offer a reformist agenda, which would promote public greater participation, social reforms and democracy. In his inaugural address in October 1969, he spoke of 'daring more democracy'. However, his administration proved to disappoint many, largely due to worsening economic conditions and a re-emergence of political extremism.
• Brandt's most famous policy was Ostpolitik, which rejected the approach of the Hallstein Doctrine and policies of the CDU/CSU. Instead, it focused on reducing tensions to allow closer relations. It was hoped this would result in mutually beneficial economic developments and more contact - such as families that were divided being reunited, at least for a short period of time.
• Brandt and his advisers understood more would be gained by negotiating with the GDR directly. They began to speak of 'change through convergence', which meant normalising relations without threatening the peace of Europe. The two countries couldn't avoid close natural ties, since they shared a common language, common traditions, common history and common families - there seemed no reason why they couldn't co-operate in the interests of international harmony and restoring human contacts.
• Brandt quietly abandoned the FRG insistence on non-recognition of the GDR, speaking of 'one nation but two Germanies', acknowledging that the people were divided into two countries, each of which had a right to exist.
• In 1969, a draft treaty was prepared including recognition of both countries and the entry of the GDR to the United Nations as a sovereign nation.
• In 1970, Brandt visited the GDR city of Erfurt, becoming the first FRG leader to do so. Although no agreements were reached, his visit was significant as he received rapturous welcome. This convinced him that Ostpolitik was worth doing.
• Willy Stoph, the East German minister-president, visited the FRG city Cassel in reciprocation. During a meeting at Erfurt, Stoph had insisted the FRG must recognise the GDR before any agreement could be reached. At Cassel, he demanded DM100 million in compensation owed to the GDR economy by emigrants leaving before the Berlin Wall. The FRG didn't agree.
• In the Basic Treaty of June 1973, the two Germanies recognised each other's right to exist. The FRG relinquished its claim to be the sole representation of the German nation but continued to offer FRG citizenship to any GDR citizens who emigrated (legally or not). The treaty spoke of normalising relations through developing commercial, tourist, cultural and communication links. This effectively allowed FRG citizens to travel freely to the GDR, but not the other way around.
• In May 1974, the two Germanies exchanged diplomats, effectively formally recognising each other.
• Although, not everyone supported Ostpolitik. The CDU/CSU opposed it as they saw it as giving into communism and weaking the aim of German unification. Therefore, in April 1972, they called for a vote of no confidence, replacing Brandt with a CDU/CSU government under their current leader. However, it failed to provide enough votes and the public opposed what they saw as an attempt to unseat an elected government that had maintained its popularity.
• During the early 1970s, Brandt's government faced difficulties with inflation, excessive government spending on welfare programmes and the growing threat of terrorism. However, in November 1972, he was re-elected as chancellor thanks to the popularity of Ostpolitik.
• Gunter Guillaume, a very close adviser to Brandt, was arrested for spying for the GDR in 1974. He had passed a range of significant documents to the GDR while working for Brandt. As a result, Brandt resigned in May 1974.
• That Brandt took personal responsibility for the Guillaume affair, is a testimony to his personal integrity. He was also confident however, that if he allowed himself to become the scapegoat, the political system and SPD government would survive intact. Brandt went on the 6th May, and his economics minister Schmidt took over 10 days later. He promised to continue Brandt's policies. The seamless transition following a potentially disastrous scandal highlighted the stability of the political system in the FRG.