Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Germany farewells a giant

By Daniel Steedman - posted Wednesday, 12 July 2017


Recently the world said farewell to former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a man at the very centre of the reunification of Germany and instrumental in the formation of the European Union. He was a giant figure in late 20thcentury politics. With a federal election looming in Germany it is worth examining some of Kohl's achievements and his legacy.

Kohl, born in 1930, grew up under the Nazi regime and lived through the devastation of World War Two and its aftermath.

The impact of this period shaped his political ideals. At the core was a determination that Germany and Europe never go to war again. Kohl lost a brother in the war and came to believe that the best way for Germany and Europe to avoid conflict in the future was through deeper integration. In 1945 he witnessed the division of Germany by the Allies and Soviets. He would be the central player in its reunification 45 years later.

Advertisement

Kohl was a member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) party. His political career began as a young man in 1946. At age 30, in 1960, he won municipal office in Ludwigshafen. But Kohl, a wily political operator, had his eye on bigger things.

By 1973 he had become the federal leader of the CDU opposition. Three years later he unsuccessfully contested the federal election.

With a changed political climate by 1982, and at a time when the Cold War was entering a dangerous new phase, Helmut Kohl was elected Chancellor of West Germany. At the time the demise of eastern Europe's Communist bloc, German reunification and the end of the Soviet Union seemed almost unthinkable.

Franco German relations

Kohl was instrumental in improving relations with France. For much of the 20thcentury Franco-German relations had been divisive and tumultuous. Soon after the war it was Chancellor Adenauer who set about building new ties with France. However the French, given recent history, were highly suspicious. In particular they were wary of Germany's remaining postwar industrial power, seeing it as a threat to their national security.

Despite these suspicions slow progress was made in the subsequent decades.The notable sticking points being industrial, agricultural and defence policies. In the early 1980s, under Kohl, Franco-German relations improved markedly with profound consequences for Europe's future.

Advertisement

Perhaps the most striking example of this occurred in September 1984. Chancellor Kohl stood with French President François Mitterand at a memorial near Verdun for a World War One commemoration ceremony. When the national anthems were played they joined hands.

The significance of this moment should not be underestimated given the history of Franco-German relations. It was indicative, not only of how close the two men had become, but of how close the two nations had become. Europe's "duo" had found a rapprochement that had hitherto been absent.

This newfound depth paved the way for agreements and reforms that resulted in the formation of the European Union and the eventual adoption of the Euro.

Implementing the Euro

By the 1980s West Germany had undergone what was viewed by many as an economic miracle. This underpinned the strength of the Deutsch Mark (DM). More than simply a currency the DM was a yardstick of West Germany's emergence from the ruins of May 1945.

Yet Kohl saw that in order to continue the process of bringing Europe together a common currency was necessary. At a European Community summit in Strasbourg in December 1989, Kohl agreed that West Germany would surrender the DM and adopt the Euro. This was formalised through the Treaty on European Union signed at Maastricht in February 1992..

Once again the the strength of the relationship between Germany and France was fundamental in moving Europe forward.

Crucially, it was at this summit that European leaders, despite British opposition, began to acknowledge publicly their acceptance of a reunited Germany in the future.

Germany's reunification

When the Communist bloc fell in the later half of 1989, Helmut Kohl seized the opportunity to reunify Germany. The international and intra-German politics involved were highly complex and laden with historical baggage.

Though West Germany had taken great pains to develop as a peaceful nation, doubts about the future of a reunified Germany remained. Many states, such as Britain, feared the remilitarisation of a united Germany.

Kohl recognised the need to address these concerns. He proffered that a united Germany would continue it's NATO commitment and further pursue European integration.

To this end, Kohl famously met with Gorbachev in July 1990. He convinced Gorbachev that Germany was not a threat to the Soviets and sealed their approval for reunification. With the support of the Allies, German unity was achieved on October 3.

The fact that Kohl was able to negotiate with, and assuage the fears of, the world's most powerful leaders, some of whom had taken a hard line against German reunification, is testament to his integrity and skill as a statesman.

Legacy

To be certain, Helmut Kohl was a not a man universally loved in Germany or abroad. Nor were all of his policies well received. Yet his contribution to advancing peace and stability in Europe, and his leadership over the reunification of Germany, ensures his place as one of the significant political leaders of the 20th century. Kohl's legacy is his fulfilled ambition, a unified Germany in a peaceful and integrated Europe.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. All



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

2 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Daniel Steedman is a Council Member at the AIIA and a member of the Committee at the Contemporary European Studies Association of Australia. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours. He is a management consultant and is undertaking a PhD in International Relations.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Daniel Steedman

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 2 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy