The policy of the parliamentary parties in the Federal Republic of Germany towards the countries of the Eastern Bloc within the years 1963-1966
Abstract
This monography studies the policy of the parliamentary parties in the Federal Republic of Germany - CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany and Christian Social Union of Bavaria), FDP (Free Democratic Party) and SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany) - towards the countries of the Eastern Bloc during the Federal Cabinet of Ludwig Erhard between the years 1963-1966. The study hypothesizes that a significant shift in the approach to the German question and Ostpolitik occurred in all the parliamentary parties in the FRG during the years 1963-1966.
This hypothesis is tested by means of a detailed chronological description and analysis of the progress of the policies and a comparative analysis of the parties' policies towards the Soviet Union, the German Democratic Republic and other communist states of Eastern Europe. The book is focused on both the official policy of the Federal Cabinet and the policies of all the parliamentary parties and also on the opinions of the parties' individual members.
Furthermore, it shows the process of shaping of collective opinions which react to changes in the world politics and home affairs. The analysis is put into context of the history of the Federal Republic of Germany and is completed by a brief characterization of the politics of the FRG towards the countries of the Eastern Bloc from the end of World War II to the reunification of Germany.