Cold War in Europe. Chapter 7. 3/08/10.

"Cold War in Europe" chapter 7

1. How much progress was made towards detente in Europe in 1963-69 and what problems had to be overcome?

a. describe two treaties - The Test Ban Treaty, which was signed in 1963 by the USA, USSR, and Britain, banned nuclear testing under water, in space, and in the atmosphere. The Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968 was signed to decrease the spread of nuclear weapons and was very important in the progress made toward detente.

b. why had the US lost some of its moral authority? The US had lost some of its moral authority due to its failing war tactics in Vietnam, which was causing anti-Americanism in many places. European allies rejected President Johnson's idea that the war was essential in preventing the spread of Communism and instead hoped to ease tensions within Europe. The focus of America at the time was not the focus of many of its allies.

c. what were the Europeans focused on during this time? what made their task easier? Europeans were focused on easing tensions in Europe, and the fall of Khrushchev in October 1964 and his replacement with Brezhnev and Kosygin, made their task easier, since Brezhnev was less erratic and believed to be someone with whom Western Europe could negotiate.

d. how did France contribute to detente?

1. De Gaulle, in 1963, vetoed Britain's application to join the EEC, because they believed that Britain was still too pro-American.

2. He visited the USSR where he announced that European states should free themselves from this 'bloc-mentality' of the Cold War.

3. Refused to support the Americans in Vietnam.

e. how did the Hamel Report define the role of NATO in the age of detente?

NATO would need to defend Western Europe but also reach a detente with the Warsaw Pact states.

f. what three factors combined to weaken Soviet control over the eastern bloc?

The Soviet retreat from Cuba, the Sino-Soviet split and the growing atmosphere of detente weakened Soviet control over the eastern bloc.

g. according to the Bucharest Declaration, what were the goals of the Warsaw Pact for detente?

To recognize postwar frontiers in Eastern Europe, to create a new European security system, to veto nuclear weapons for West Germany, and the creation of a programme for economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between East and West.

h. What three steps did Dubcek take in Czechoslovakia, which lead to the Prague Spring?

He attempted to create a socialist system that would require the consent of the people. In April of 1968 he unveiled his program for democratic change and modernization of the economy. In June he abolished censorship, and reluctantly agreed to put it back later but the other Warsaw Pact countries did not trust his word.

i. How did the Prague Spring end? Troops provided by the USSR, Hungary, Poland, the GDR and Bulgaria invaded and terminated it.

2. What were the aims of Brandt's Ostpolitik and how did he seek to achieve them?

*a. Aims

1. To leave the door ajar for a future reunification of Germany by easing tension between both sides but at the same time recognizing the East German regime.

2. To come to terms with the postwar world.

b. terms of the Moscow Treaty

1. USSR and FRG had no territorial claims over any other state

2. 'Non-violability' of Poland's western frontier and of the inner German frontier recognized by the FRG

3. FRG would abandon the Hallstein Doctrine and recognize both Germanies would eventually be members of the United nations

4. 'Letter on German unity' presented, and that the FRG would work toward a state of peace in Europe.

*c. terms of the Warsaw Treaty

1. Oder-Neisse line inviolable

2. Trade and financial assistance from the FRG would be increased

3. Ethnic Germans living in Poland were allowed to emigrate to West Germany.

d. major unique term of the Prague Treaty:

The Munich Treaty of 1938 was now void.

*e. terms of the four-party treaty of Berlin

1. Unimpeded traffic between West Berlin and the FRG

2. recognition of West Berlin's ties with the FRG

3. the right for West Berliners to visit East Berlin

4. Western sectors of Berlin not legally part of the FRG even if they had been since West Berlin adopted the FRG's constitution in 1950.

*f. What were the "technical agreements" of the FRG-GDR treaty?

Transit traffic, the right of West Berliners to visit East Berlin, and postal communications to be included.

g. What were the terms of the Basic Treaty?

1. FRG recognized the GDR as an equal and sovereign state

2. Both sides considered to have a common German citizenship.

3. Both sides should be represented in the United Nations

*3. What were the terms of the Helsinki Accord? Did the East or West benefit more from them?

a. Terms

1. Basket One; "Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States." Legitimated the present borders within Europe, outlawed the use of force, prohibited intervention in the internal affairs of any state, and required respect for human rights and the self-determination of peoples.

2. Basket Two; 'Cooperation in the field of economics, of science and technology and the environment.'

3. Basket Three; 'Cooperation in humanitarian and other fields', or expanding trade and cultural contacts between the two blocs, and promoting the unifying of families split by the Iron Curtain.

4. Follow up conference planned for two years later to work out further measures for European security and cooperation.

*b. benefits? Brezhnev had achieved Western recognition of the Soviet Empire, and an end of all attempts to undermine it. Right wing politicians in the US believed it was the 'American seal of approval on the Soviet Empire.' However on the other hand, its calls for peace and cooperation were considered by others to be a ticking time bomb on the Soviet Empire, as they were not truly favoring these ideas of peace and cooperation beyond the prevention of war.

*DBQ: Using the extracts (in bold) on pages 115, 116, and 122, do you think that detente was simply a recognition by the West of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and not a real peace at all?

No I do not think this, I think detente was more a way of European states to focus on their own matters and affairs to achieve an overall peace in Europe. An example of this is that De Gaulle of France attempted to focus on issues concerning France and lessen American influence. I don't see this as a recognition of Soviet influence but more as a way to make themselves independent of other influences and work toward a more united Europe.