Accepting the division : the recognition of the German Democratic Republic by the United States

In September 1974, the United States formally recognized the German Democratic Republic by signing an agreement on the establishment of diplomatic relations. This thesis examines the diplomatic process which led up to the agreement between the two states from the perspective of the U.S.

The study relies on literature on U.S.-German relations and the Berlin Agreement and a large number of newspaper accounts. Additional information was received in interviews with officials at the State Department in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. ignored the GDR until the late 1960s, when West Germany began to alter its position toward East Berlin. The Quadripartite Agreement brought about a substantial change in U.S. policy toward the GDR. Before extending formal recognition, the U.S. was able to use the issue as a "bargaining chip" in the Berlin Talks to elicit additional concessions from the Soviet Union. In the bilateral talks the U.S. delayed the establishment of diplomatic relations until the GDR had met certain U.S. demands.

U.S. policy toward the GDR is determined by external factors to a large degree. The FRG is most influential among them. Therefore, the future of U.S.-East German relations will depend on Bonn's interests.