What led to the policy of Ostpolitik in West Germany?

The policy of Ostpolitik in West Germany was primarily driven by the desire to improve relations with Eastern Europe and East Germany.

Ostpolitik, or 'Eastern Policy', was a significant shift in West Germany's foreign policy towards the Eastern Bloc, particularly East Germany, during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The policy was primarily led by Chancellor Willy Brandt and his foreign minister, Walter Scheel. The main motivation behind Ostpolitik was the desire to improve relations with Eastern Europe and East Germany, which had been strained since the end of the Second World War and the subsequent division of Germany.

The policy was a response to several factors. Firstly, the division of Germany into East and West following the Second World War had created a tense and hostile relationship between the two nations. This was exacerbated by the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, which further solidified the division and heightened tensions. The West German government recognised the need to ease these tensions and sought to do so through diplomatic means.

Secondly, the policy was influenced by the broader context of the Cold War. The period of détente in the late 1960s and early 1970s, characterised by a thawing of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, provided an opportunity for West Germany to pursue a similar approach with its Eastern neighbours. The West German government hoped that by improving relations with the Eastern Bloc, it could contribute to the overall easing of Cold War tensions.

Finally, there was a growing recognition within West Germany that the status quo was unsustainable. The economic disparity between East and West Germany was becoming increasingly apparent, and there was a growing desire for reunification among the German population. The West German government saw Ostpolitik as a means of facilitating this process by fostering better relations with East Germany and the wider Eastern Bloc.

In conclusion, the policy of Ostpolitik was driven by a combination of factors, including the desire to improve relations with East Germany and Eastern Europe, the broader context of the Cold War, and the growing desire for German reunification.