Treaty of Warsaw (1970) facts for kids
The Treaty of Warsaw (German: Warschauer Vertrag) was an important agreement between West Germany and Poland. It was signed on December 7, 1970. The German parliament, called the Bundestag, approved it on May 17, 1972.
This treaty was a big step towards peace and understanding. Both countries promised not to use violence against each other. They also officially accepted the border between them, known as the Oder-Neisse line.
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Why the Border Was Important
The border was a very sensitive issue for a long time. After World War II, Germany lost some of its land in the east. Poland took over this land. This was partly to replace parts of eastern Poland that the Soviet Union had taken in 1939. Much of that land was east of the Curzon Line. Poland had kept it after the Polish–Soviet War (1919-1921).
Poland's Concerns
Poland was worried that one day, a German government might try to claim back these lost territories. The Treaty of Warsaw helped ease these fears. It made the existing border official.
Political Reactions in Germany
The West German leader at the time was Chancellor Willy Brandt. He was strongly criticized for signing this treaty. The main opposition parties, the CDU and CSU, disagreed with him. They believed Germany should still try to get back the lost lands. They accused Brandt of giving up German interests.
Reaffirming the Border
However, the Oder-Neisse line was confirmed again later. This happened after Germany became one country again. The German-Polish Border Treaty was signed on November 14, 1990. This treaty officially made the border permanent.
What the Treaty Meant for the Future
When the Treaty of Warsaw was signed, some people in West Germany did not see it as the final word on the border. Article IV of the treaty said that older agreements, like the Potsdam Agreement, were still valid. This meant that the rules of the Treaty of Warsaw could be changed later. This would happen if there was a final peace treaty between Germany and the countries that won World War II. The Potsdam Agreement had planned for such a peace treaty.
