The 1971 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Chancellor of GermanyWilly Brandt (1913–1992) "for paving the way for a meaningful dialogue between East and West."[1][2][3] Because of his efforts to strengthen cooperation in western Europe through the European Economic Community (EEC) and to achieve reconciliation between West Germany and the countries of Eastern Europe, he became the fourth German recipient of the prestigious Peace Prize.[2]
Willy Brandt was active in German politics since his youth. He was engaged in clandestine resistance against the Nazis and went into exile in Norway in 1933. There he joined the Labour Party where he campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize to Carl von Ossietzky. When the German occupation of Norway took place in 1940, he fled to Sweden where he worked as a journalist documenting the brutality of World War II. After the war, Brandt returned to Germany and continued engaging in politics becoming Mayor of West Berlin in 1957, Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1966, Leader of the Social Democratic Party in 1964 and Chancellor of Germany in 1969.[3][4] As federal Chancellor, he made decisive efforts for West Germany to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), established a peaceful agreement – the Treaty of Mosco – with the Soviet Union in 1970, and another agreement – the Treaty of Warsaw with Poland in the same year which entailed that West Germany accepted the new national boundaries in Eastern Europe that had become effective in 1945. These treaties laid the foundations for the Four Power Agreement on Berlin which made it easier for families from either side of the divided city to visit each other. He resigned as Chancellor in May 1974.[2][5][4]
Deliberations
Nominations
Brandt had not been nominated before for the peace prize, making him one of the laureates who won on a rare occasion when they have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature the same year they were first nominated.[6] Brandt only received three separate nominations: one from Jens Otto Krag (1914–1978) of Denmark, another from Wolfgang Yourgrau (1908–1979) the United States and a joint nomination by three politicians (La Pira of Italy, De Chambrun of France, and Dia of Senegal).[7]
"for his part in bringing about accords that have been among the most important events in the post-war period in favor of international détente and peace, and for his conduct which was both a great symbol of humility and remorse for the past and a great promise for the future."
"for working incessantly on the achievement of a just peace wherein he has shown unparalleled initiative in accomplishing his aims and has undertaken this task with great personal risk for his career."
Wolfgang Yourgrau (1908–1979)
"in recognition of his consistent politics of peace as an important initiative to secure the world peace that has existed for the last decade, and for his political endeavors to minimize political tension in Europe which are worthy of respect and admiration."
"for his fight for the rights of the impoverished and oppressed, and for being a symbol of peace through his life, thoughts, speeches, and acts that are deeply founded in justice, freedom and equality."
Dietrich Rollmann (1932–2008)
No motivation included.
Martin Bullinger (1930–2021)
Marie Lous Mohr (1892–1973)
"for his unique role in one of the poorest areas of Latin-America as a leader of the progressive minority of the Catholic Church, as well as being the leading spokesman for non-violent methods to further social change and having played an important international role by contributing to a greater understanding in industrialized countries of the social reality in one of the poorest areas in the world."
"for his efforts to bring about a social revolution in South America through friendly co-operation and non-violent means, contributing greatly to the cause of world peace."
"for his work to achieve a more humane existence for millions of people, his publications, lectures, and speeches in favor of peace and justice and his striving for co-operation of all nations, religions and systems towards peace."
"for his significant contribution to promoting the humanization of conflicts and disputes and his effort to break the spiral of violence that arises when the violence of the rulers and the violence of the oppressed coincide."
"for his tireless efforts to create a more peaceful and humane world and break the spiral of violence that arises when the violence of the rulers and the violence of the oppressed coincide."
"for the quality of leadership he has shown in the long struggle of farmworkers for human dignity, and, through his persevering efforts, seeks to combat poverty and injustice and build a new quality of relationship between men."
"for his devotion and altruistic work towards the cause of peace, and undertaking great humanitarian efforts through organizations like the Christian Action and the International Defence and Aid Fund, which he created."
"for his work in the post-war years for Save Europe Now, his work for the victims of oppression in South Africa, his work as chairman of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Great Britain and his work for reconciliation with the Eastern Bloc."
"for his struggle against racism, which is perhaps the greatest threat to the peace and happiness of the human race and working tirelessly to heal the wounds of war and reduce the risks of its recurrence."
"for being a most courageous and active fighter for peace, especially in connection with the pressure for nuclear disarmament, and particularly for his attempt to contribute to the agitation for change in the racial policies of the Union of South Africa."
"for his selfless efforts to the cause of peace and mutual understanding among men regardless of color, religion or creed, and for continuously devoting himself to bridging gaps, fostering racial accommodation for the benefit of mankind as a whole."
"for contributing to fostering understanding and friendship among all nations of the world and for hiss efforts to improve the political relations and economic cooperation between East and West, an encouragement to other business leaders in the United States to use their influence on behalf of world peace."
"for his merits and contribution to the creation of treaties against nuclear-arms in Latin-America, which he contributed greatly to through his intelligence, perseverance, and love for peace."
"because he took a decisive part in the adoption of the Treaty of Tlatelolco signed in Mexico City on April 12, 1967, establishing a denuclearization regime for Latin America."
René-Jean Dupuy (1918–1997)
"for his support of disarmament in Latin-America and almost making it a non-nuclear zone, and also for being a moving force in securing the adoption of the Disarmament Resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, which set forth a programme for general and complete disarmament."
"for his dedication and concern for the welfare of humanity, devotedly working towards bettering the state of life for peoples in the world and contributed greatly to the fight against diseases and later population control in Asia."
Amadeo Cruz (1903–1988)
"for his work with organizations and nations in the field of population control in underdeveloped countries in Asia, and through his commitment and dedication to human welfare and fraternity, he has done a great service to the cause of peace."
Hak Yul Kim (?)
"for his efforts to tame population growth using experience derived from his involvement in the fight against diseases and critical problems that threaten mankind, and working to ease tensions and remedy situations which unchecked could lead to war."
"for being an outstanding peace partisan, anti-fascist, and humanist, and an outstanding fighter for peace, social progress and the welfare of all people."
"in recognition of their lifelong struggle to save the Indians in Amazonia, and their unique achievements in approaching and pacifying primitive tribes and protecting them in Brazil's first national park."
"for, in terms of his own personal experience of horrors and his subsequent efforts for peace, having become a symbol of hope and an inspiration to peoples throughout the world."
"for having offered a moral perspective on the Holocaust which bears broad implications about human nature, civilization, and moral value, and throughout his novels and essays, his travels and lectures, he has been a ceaseless advocate of peace."
"for throughout his novels and essays, his travels and lectures being a ceaseless advocate of peace and for his works of great importance, especially since a generation has passed since the end of the Second World War."
"for his work against hate, and his faith in mankind and the final victory of the forces of progress and peace."
André Monteil (1915–1998)
"for showing a wisdom born of incredible suffering and a burning desire in his writing to bring the inexorable lessons of the Holocaust home to mankind."
"for his efforts to de-escalate the arms race and keep political decisions in the hands of representatives of the people and away from machines and military men, and being a civilizing influence on the government of his country."
"for their worldwide and important work to promote tolerance and mutual understanding between peoples without regard to nationality, class, race, religion, or political affiliation."
"for its vital role in giving the young an education and upbringing free from racial, national, and social prejudices, and their pioneering work in framing and adopting the U.N. Charter of Children's Rights, thus contributing to a world of unity and peace."
"for its world-wide humanitarian work for the young, especially in developing countries which have derived enormous benefit from its dedication and expertise."
The following members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee appointed by the Storting were responsible for the selection of the 1971 Nobel laureate in accordance with the will of Alfred Nobel:[8]