페레스트로이카(Perestroika)와 독일통일 (1985-1991)

Abstract

This paper examines Gorbachev’s foreign policy in term of the “new thinking” during the years 1985-1991, a period that saw the German unification, the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War. It traces the development of the “new thinking”, analyses the influence of “Perestroika” on Soviet’s European and German policy. Until the year of the revolution in 1989 in DDR, the division of Germany was seen as indispensable to the security of the Soviet Empire. The fall of the Berlin Wall marked a dramatic turn in German history. But until the end of January 1990 even Gorbachev had an illusion that it would be possible to reform the DDR. This illusion shattered when the authorities in DDR failed to rule under new conditions and the populace was pressing more and more for accession to the BRD. The redefinition of Soviet policy on German unification took place under the background of a qualitative change of paradigms of Soviet foreign and security policy. Nevertheless the reunification of Germany within NATO can be explained only with reference to a unique constellation of numerous factors. As to the rationale behind the rethink in Soviet policy on Germany, a reunited Germany would be more able to promote Perestroika in the Soviet Union.