German unification
A short history |
Christian Hausmann
Friday, October 04, 2002
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| Christian Hausmann |
YESTERDAY marked the 12th anniversary of German unity.
On that national holiday Germany commemorates the completion of the process of reunification that was formally concluded with the accession of the GDR, the former communist (East) German Democratic Republic, to the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) on October 3, 1990.
Perestroika, demonstrations
This process began in the summer of 1989. Encouraged by the perestroika policy of Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, demands for political change were also voiced in the GDR. Growing numbers of refugees and a lack of willingness on the part of the GDR government to reform created growing impatience among GDR citizens. Meetings of dissatisfied people were held in churches and parsonages. From September 4 on, demands for change were voiced publicly. The so-called "Monday Demonstrations" began in Leipzig. Peaceful demonstrations of this kind were soon being held throughout the GDR. The demand of the people for more participation and democracy was expressed in their chant: "We are the people."
Communists resign
Demonstrations were successful. On October 18 Erich Honecker resigned from office as GDR State Council Chairman and Secretary-General of the communist party, the SED. As a consequence of the largest rally of protest, held on Berlin's "Alexanderplatz" on November 4, the entire GDR government resigned on November 7. Two days later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down.
The crowds began chanting "Germany, united fatherland!" at the Monday Demonstrations. Hans Modrow became the new leader of the communist party. He and the government he led were sworn in on November 18. One useful thing they did, was to delete the leading role of the SED from the constitution. Two days later the SED Central Committee and Politburo resigned definitively.
Round Table takes over
On December 7, 1989, 14 parties, political groups, and organisations came together at what was called the Central Round Table. It was part of a system of public controls until the first democratic elections could be held. It saw its task as providing an element of democracy by submitting proposals on how to overcome the existing crisis of government. It demanded involvement in key political and economic decisions taken by the government and the People's Chamber and called for the abolition of the "Stasi", the state security police. The importance of this demand became evident on January 15, 1990 when the people stormed Stasi headquarters on Berlin's Normannenstrasse.
In late January, the Round Table decided to hold the People's Chamber election -- originally set for May 6 -- on March 18, 1990. Mikhail Gorbachev said during a visit to Moscow by GDR Prime Minister Hans Modrow that, in principle, no one doubted that the unification of Germany could become a reality. The condition, however, would be the neutrality of a united Germany.
With the approval of the People's Chamber the "Government of National Responsibility" was constituted on February 5 in which eight representatives of the Round Table were appointed as ministers without portfolio. The free election to the People's Chamber was won by an electoral alliance, the "Alliance for Germany". Lothar de Mazière, a lawyer and Christian Democrat, became prime minister of the Grand Coalition that was formed.
Unification Treaty
Two months later, the Preparatory Treaty for the Monetary, Economic and Social Union between the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany was signed. With this agreement the GDR transferred its financial and monetary policy sovereignty to the West German Federal Republic which, in return, granted subsidies for the GDR government budget and, at the same time, subsidised the GDR's pension and social security systems.
This created a framework for political unification. Economic and monetary union between the GDR and the Federal Republic went into effect on July 1. The East German mark was abolished. Along with the West German mark, the GDR adopted the main elements of economic and social legislation in the Federal Republic.
On August 2, 1990, West German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and East German State Secretary Günther Krause agreed on a draft Unification Treaty. In a special session held on August 23, the People's Chamber set October 3 as the date for official accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic.
Approval by World War allies
United Germany's integration in the foreign policy context was regulated under a separate treaty signed by the two German states and the four allied powers who had defeated Germany in the Second World War -- the United States, England, France and the Soviet Union. After around four months of intensive negotiations, the Two-Plus-Four Treaty was signed on September 12. As the third pillar of German unification, it clarified foreign and security policy questions regarding united Germany, including alliance membership: Germany would remain a member of NATO, the Western Alliance.
Germany's renunciation of production and possession of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons was written into the treaty. Germany also recognised its present borders as definitive, including the Oder-Neisse border with Poland. This formally ended the post-war-era. For Germany the Two-Plus-Four Treaty had the character of a peace treaty with its World War II adversaries. It was the precondition for regaining full political sovereignty.
The Unification Treaty between the GDR and the Federal Republic went into effect on September 29, 1990, creating the legal prerequisites for reunification. The process of reunification was formally completed a week later, on October 3, 1990, with the official accession of the GDR to the Federal Republic. Therefore, October 3 is now Germany's national holiday.
Dr Christian Hausmann is Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Jamaica.
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