Like détente, Ostpolitik had a good side and a downside. The goal was an improved relationship between the two Germanys. While it was a step forward at the time because it fit into détente, Ostpolitik also caused problems when German unification began. The Social Democratic Party, which initiated Ostpolitik, was actually trying to slow down German unification in the late 1980s.

Détente and Ostpolitik assumed the existence of two systems-East and West-and both were steps toward co-existence. Nixon's opening to China made an enormous contribution to détente. By going to China, Nixon transformed the Chinese into the darlings of American foreign policy. That gave us additional leverage against the Russians. Because they were scared to death of U.S.-Chinese cooperation, the Russians were prepared to pay a price in cooperating with us on détente. But because of Vietnam and Watergate, Nixon couldn't do more. Détente allowed him to hold on, but he couldn't turn things around. It wasn't until Reagan came in and hit the Russians between the eyes with a two-by-four that we were able to do that. Reagan said, "No, we can't live side by side." By that time the Soviet leadership was ossified, and the Soviet economy was in deep trouble. The Soviets had to make a more realistic appraisal of their forces. So there is a kind of overall coherence to this period.