Editing History of Germany (section)

==== Brandt and Ostpolitik ====
{{Main|Ostpolitik}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F031406-0017, Erfurt, Treffen Willy Brandt mit Willi Stoph.jpg|thumb|Brandt (left) and [[Willi Stoph]] in 1970, the first encounter of a Federal Chancellor with his East German counterpart]]
[[Willy Brandt]] was the leader of the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany|Social Democratic Party]] in 1964–1987 and West German Chancellor in 1969–1974. Under his leadership, the German government sought to reduce tensions with the [[Soviet Union]] and improve relations with the [[German Democratic Republic]], a policy known as the ''[[Ostpolitik]]''.<ref name=weber/> Relations between the two German states had been icy at best, with propaganda barrages in each direction. The heavy outflow of talent from East Germany prompted the building of the [[Berlin Wall]] in 1961, which worsened [[Cold War]] tensions and prevented East Germans from travel. Although anxious to relieve serious hardships for divided families and to reduce friction, Brandt's ''Ostpolitik'' was intent on holding to its concept of "two German states in one German nation".

''Ostpolitik'' was opposed by the conservative elements in Germany, but won Brandt an international reputation and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ostpolitik, 1969–1974: European and Global Responses |date=2009 |editor-last=Fink |editor-first=Carole |editor-last2=Schaefer |editor-first2=Bernd}}</ref> In September 1973, both West and East Germany were admitted to the [[United Nations]]. The two countries exchanged permanent representatives in 1974, and, in 1987, East Germany's leader [[Erich Honecker]] paid an [[Erich Honecker's 1987 visit to West Germany|official state visit]] to West Germany.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fulbrook |first=Mary |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofgermany0000fulb_t6t0 |title=History of Germany, 1918–2000: the divided nation |date=2002 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofgermany0000fulb_t6t0/page/170 170]}}</ref>