Hallstein Doctrine

Definition: Policy of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) which stated that any nation, other than the USSR, which recognised the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as a state would be an unfriendly act towards the FDR and would cause the severance of diplomatic relations. This policy was announced by FRG Chancellor Adenauer in 1955 after the USSR first recognised the GDR as a sovereign state, in response to fears that the GDR might be seen as a legitimate nation and prevent the re-unification of Germany. The Hallstein Doctrine was repudiated in the Basic Treaty between the FRG and GDR on December 21 1972.