Which German leader known for his Ostpolitik served as Mayor of West Berlin from 1957 to 1966 and later as Chancellor of Germany from 1969 to 1974, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971?

• A. Helmut Schmidt
• B. Konrad Adenauer
• C. Willy Brandt
• D. Angela Merkel

Answer: (C)

Willy Brandt embodies Ostpolitik, a strategy focused on reducing Cold War tensions by engaging with East Germany and other Eastern Bloc states. He served as Mayor of West Berlin from 1957 to 1966, then led West Germany as Chancellor from 1969 to 1974. For these efforts to ease division in Europe, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971. Ostpolitik pursued normalization of relations with the East, including treaties that opened dialogue with the Soviet Union and East German leadership, as well as improved ties with Poland. Notable steps include the Moscow Treaty in 1970 and the Basic Treaty with East Germany in 1972. Other leaders listed held different roles or policies, so Brandt’s combination of municipal leadership, national leadership, and transformative diplomacy best fits this description.