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Energy diplomacy: West Germany, the Soviet Union and the oil crises of the 1970s
Energiediplomatie: Westdeutschland, die Sowjetunion und die Ölkrisen der 1970er Jahre
[journal article]
Abstract This article analyzes West German energy policy and negotiations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Archival sources from the West German government show that long-term energy diplomacy became a carefully built link which guaranteed cooperation even during political crises,such as the one in... view more
This article analyzes West German energy policy and negotiations with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Archival sources from the West German government show that long-term energy diplomacy became a carefully built link which guaranteed cooperation even during political crises,such as the one in 1980/81. This article argues that energy diplomacy catalyzed Brandt’s Ostpolitik. In particular, natural gas pipelines implied mutual trust within a stable relationship, which led to further collaborations, including cooperation
in nuclear power. It points out that, from this perspective, 1973 was not exactly a turning point, and some grandiose plans in the years after the
first oil crisis failed. Furthermore the article shows how the second oil crisis in 1979 increased cooperation cooperation between West Germany and the Soviet Union, although this strained West Germany’s relationship with the United States. Archival documents reveal that energy policy matters remained wellcalculated and persistent. Thus, the Soviet Union became a more reliable partner than many Arab countries.... view less
Keywords
crude oil; old federal states; energy supply; economic cooperation; Federal Republic of Germany; natural gas; crisis; Ostpolitik; policy of détente; cold war; energy policy; economic policy; nuclear energy; USSR; diplomacy
Classification
Special areas of Departmental Policy
General History
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Document language
English
Publication Year
2014
Page/Pages
p. 165-184
Journal
Historical Social Research, 39 (2014) 4
Issue topic
The energy crises of the 1970s
DOI
https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.39.2014.4.165-185
ISSN
0172-6404
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed