A militarily expanding Germany has the right idea
Key takeaways
- During the Cold War, the West German Army was considered second only to that of the United States as NATO s most capable land force.
- As the USSR and the Warsaw Pact were beginning to unravel, Thatcher told Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, We do not want the unification of Germany.
- In the event, German reunification did not result in Thatcher s dire predictions.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
During the Cold War, the West German Army was considered second only to that of the United States as NATO s most capable land force. At the same time, East Germany s army was considered the second-most capable Warsaw Pact force after that of the Soviet Union.
Perhaps it was not surprising, therefore, that British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and French President Francois Mitterand both initially opposed German reunification, driven by memories of German military prowess, especially in the first years of World War II.
As the USSR and the Warsaw Pact were beginning to unravel, Thatcher told Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, We do not want the unification of Germany. It would lead to changes in the post-war borders, and we cannot allow that, because such a development would undermine the stability of the entire international situation, and could lead to threats to our security.