peace policies

Willy Brandt's policies are synonymous with peace policies. After his resignation as Chancellor Brandt continues his efforts for world peace. Willy Brandt unceasingly asserts that war must not be a political means and that peace policies must aim not at limiting but at eliminating war.

Willy Brandt observes with great concern how the relations between east and West deteriorate toward the end of the 1970s. The phase of détente between the power blocks seems to be at an end. Two factors play a particular role. Since 1977 the USSR has deployed hundreds of intermediate-range missiles (SS-20), each with three warheads targeted against the countries of Western Europe. The Western alliance has no comparable weapons system to deploy as a military deterrent. Tensions further increase when the forces of the Red Army march into Afghanistan in December 1979.

Willy Brandt sharply condemns the foreign policy of the USSR. At the same time he cautions the responsible statesmen of the NATO countries against precipitate actions. Brandt follows the security policies of his successor in office, Helmut Schmidt, with great concern. Schmidt proposes that NATO adopt a rearmament policy of deploying its own medium range missiles to balance the Soviet weapons system. A related proposal to the Soviets, to initiate arms control negotiations dealing with intermediate range missiles, is adopted by the Foreign and Defense Ministers of NATO in December 1979 (NATO's "double decision").

Willy Brandt sees his détente, peace, and arms control policies threatened by NATO's "double decision". The Geneva negotiations between the US and the USSR over the future of intermediate-range missiles in Europe drag on for several years. Brandt becomes a proponent of the "double zero" solution which would demobilize all intermediate-range missiles of shorter and longer ranges.

A lively public opposition develops against the deployment of American intermediate range missiles, the Pershing II and Cruise Missiles, particularly on the territory of the Federal Republic. People's fear of a nuclear war grows. The opponents of rearmament join together in the "peace movement" which encompasses a wide range of groups of varying social and political orientation.

SPD Chairman Willy Brandt feels obligated to loyalty toward Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who supports the deployment of American missiles in case the Geneva negotiations should fail. This would be the only way to preserve NATO's credibility. Brandt endeavors to cover the Federal Chancellor's back and for the time being refrains from his own criticism of the security policy. Nonetheless, Schmidt comes under increasingly strong domestic and inner-party pressure.

At this time there occurs also a serious crisis in the social-liberal coalition, which in September 1982 breaks apart primarily because of economic and budgetary disputes. The FDP decides to shift to a coalition with the CDU/CSU. On October 1, 1982 Chancellor Helmut Schmidt is deposed by a constructive vote of no-confidence in the Bundestag (Lower House of the German Parliament). To replace him, Helmut Kohl (CDU) is elected Federal Chancellor. Hans-Dietrich Genscher (FDP) remains Foreign Minister.

Due to the change of Chancellor in Bonn, Willy Brandt no longer needs to practice domestic political restraint against the administration. On September 13, 1983 Brandt reveals before the SPD fraction in the Bundestag and in public that he has had reservations from the outset about the "double decision" of NATO. In October 1983 - during the "hot autumn" in the Federal Republic - more than three million people demonstrate in Bonn against the American missile deployment and for a policy of peace between the power blocks. Willy Brandt takes a stand at the forefront of the peace movement. In an address to hundreds of thousands of persons in the Bonn "palace garden" he opposes the rearmament policy. At the same time he expresses his support of NATO membership and of the Federal defense establishment.

On the international level, Willy Brandt develops a number of initiatives, in order to bring some movement to the disarmament question even at the last second. His efforts are fruitless. The Geneva arms control conference collapses. The German Bundestag in November 1983 approves by a slim majority the deployment of American intermediate range missiles on Federal territory. The first missiles arrive in German territory in December 1983.

In the same year Willy Brandt marries the historian and SPD-journalist Brigitte Seebacher who comes from Bremen. In 1979 he has divorced his second wife, Rut Brandt.