Soviet Policy Toward East Germany Under Brehnev and Gorbachev: Consistent Goals,Different Methods

摘要

This study chronicles significant events in Soviet-GDR relations under LeonidBrezhnev and Mikhail Gorbachev. By comparing the Soviet motives and actions in these events, the paper demonstrates that Soviet policy toward the German Democratic Republic (GDR) has consistently adhered to the following principle: Although the GDR depended totally upon the USSR for its very survival, to the Soviets, the GDR was merely a tool to be used to further Soviet national interests. The Soviets will manipulate the pending unification of Germany to maximize Soviet benefits. Under both Brezhnev and Gorbachev, Soviet security and economic interests led the Soviets to alternately support and then override stated East German policy. Both Soviet leaders facilitated the removal of Socialist Unity Party (SED) leaders who placed their own policies before that of the Soviets. Finally, under both of the Soviet leaders, the GDR was allowed a period of relative independence of action, during which the GDR moved to satisfy its own desires, sometimes in ways contrary to Soviet policy. Keywords: Foreign policy; Government(Foreign). Theses. (CP)