Germany farewells a giant

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.