Willy Brandt’s “new Ostpolitik” secures peace and gives the impetus to reconciliation of the Germans with their Eastern European neighbours. With this, important conditions are created for ending the Cold War and overcoming the division of Germany and Europe. More »

Reforms characterise Willy Brandt’s years as Chancellor. Civil liberties are expanded, more democratic participation is facilitated and the welfare state is strengthened. However, his reform policies run into economic limitations. The “Brandt Era” ends abruptly with the Chancellor’s resignation due to an espionage affair. More »

Willy Brandt is a resolute opponent of National Socialism. From 1933 on he offers resistance against the Nazi dictatorship from his exile in Scandinavia and establishes ties with many international contacts. In the political arena, Brandt struggles for a democratic Germany and a free Europe. More »

In 1933, Willy Brandt finds asylum in Norway from persecution by the Nazi regime. The country becomes his second homeland, for whose freedom he campaigns in Swedish exile starting in 1940. The Nordic democracies strongly influence Brandt’s political thinking. More »

Willy Brandt’s political ascent takes place in a Berlin divided by the Cold War. He fights passionately for West Berlin’s freedom and for Germany’s unity. As Governing Mayor, Brandt leads the city through the Berlin Wall crisis of 1961. More »

Willy Brandt cultivates a close and friendly relationship with the USA, especially as Governing Mayor of Berlin and as Federal Chancellor. Despite some tensions with different US administrations, his image of America remains consistently positive. More »

In the face of the Shoah, the murder of the European Jews by the Nazis, Willy Brandt emphasises the obligation of the Germans to protect Jewish lives. As the first German Chancellor, in 1973 he travels on a state visit to Israel whose right to exist is untouchable for him. More »

Under Willy Brandt, the SPD develops into a modern left-leaning mainstream party which has up to one million members. From 1966 until 1982, it successfully bears government responsibility in Bonn. In the 1980s, Brandt sets the course for the SPD's new principal guidelines. More »

At the head of the Socialist International, Willy Brandt campaigns for peace, democracy and human rights all over the world. Under his Presidency from 1976 until 1992, the SI admits many non-European parties and attracts more attention in world politics. More »

His whole life Willy Brandt speaks strongly for the elimination of hunger and poverty in the world. As chairman of the North-South Commission, he calls for spending more money on development and less on armaments. In view of globalisation, Brandt pleads for a “world domestic policy.” More »

Since his Scandinavian exile, Willy Brandt adheres to the idea of a united Europe. As Federal Chancellor, he plays a major role in the enlargement and deepening of the (Western) European Community. The unification of the whole of Europe always remains his hope and his goal. More »

With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the accomplishment of German unity, a dream of Willy Brandt’s is finally fulfilled. With enthusiasm he supports Germany’s unification which crowns his life’s work. In addition, the SPD honorary chairman campaigns successfully for Berlin as the new seat of government and parliament. More »