Egon Bahr, l'Ostpolitik et la place de l'Allemagne dans un nouvel ordre europeen, 1945--1975

This thesis deals with Egon Bahr's understanding of the Federal Republic of Germany's (FRG) Eastern policy (Ostpolitik) between 1945 and 1975. The analysis is centered on the link between Ostpolitik and Bahr's conception of Germany's position and role in the European system. More precisely, this study aims at finding out which goals Bahr pursued in the context of Bonn's Eastern policy. The first part of the thesis deals with the conceptual development of Ostpolitik (1945-1969). The second part takes a look at its implementation for the period between Willy Brandt's election as West German Chancellor and the conclusion of the Helsinki Final Act (1969-1975). This thesis relies primarily on Bahr's writings, including a vast number of unpublished sources, located mostly in German archives, but also in American, French and British archives.;This thesis sheds new light on Bahr's political thought and contributes to a better understanding of Ostpolitik's significance in the larger context of West German foreign policy. Bahr's conceptions were unique in Cold War Germany because they were based on notions of power, the national interest and "normality". At the same time, Bahr understood that Germans, because of their central geographic position, always had to rely on cooperation as the prime instrument of all their diplomatic initiatives. Through its "architect", Ostpolitik appears as an effort at reconciliation between a peaceful Europe and the unhindered affirmation of German influence in world affairs.;Keywords. Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) -- Foreign policy -- Relations with the Soviet bloc -- Cold War -- Detente -- European security -- German question -- Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD);According to Bahr, Ostpolitik was not limited to the elimination of West Germany's burdens in foreign policy during the Cold War. In fact, he pursued an ambitious, nationalistic project in the context of relations with the Soviet bloc. Bahr sought to create the necessary conditions for Germany to redefine its place in Europe. With Ostpolitik as his diplomatic instrument, his ultimate goal was to see Germany become the central power in a new European peace order. Three interrelated objectives formed the core of this vision: (1) the consolidation of peace and security on the continent; (2) German reunification and (3) the emancipation of (West) German foreign policy.