German Ostpolitik, 1966-1974:
The European and Global Response

12-13 May 2006, Columbus, Ohio

Conference Report

Concept of the Conference:

Over the past half century, West Germany's Ostpolitik has stirred a heated political and historiographical debate. Willy Brandt's vision of overcoming Germany and Europe's division through an active policy of engagement with the East has stimulated a huge scholarly literature on its origins, strategy, and short- and long-term accomplishments.

Far less well known are the responses to Brandt's initiatives by the communist world as well as in Western Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. How did Ostpolitik - the short-term
acknowledgment of the existence of two Germanies and a divided Europe - influence other Cold War issues, ranging from foreign trade, finance, and investment to technology, culture, and human rights throughout the world?

Invitation:

The conveners invite papers on this subject and time period. We are especially interested in proposals dealing with the impact of Ostpolitik on the European Common Market and the United Nations, on Latin
America, the Middle East, and Asia, on regional and global economic and financial questions, and on the areas of sport, culture, science, and technology. Other topics will be given very careful consideration.

Proposals are due by March 15, 2005. They should consist of the following: 1) a one-page abstract outlining the author's thesis. These papers should be based on new archival evidence and must not have been
presented or published before. 2) a brief, maximum three-page curriculum vita. They should be addressed to Ms. Bärbel Thomas of the German Historical Institute of Washington, DC (b.thomas (at) ghi-dc.org).

Those selected to participate will have their round-trip transportation, meals and accommodations paid. The language of the conference will be English. We anticipate publication of the proceedings.