
Britain, Germany and the Cold War
The Search for a European Detente 1949-1967
R. Gerald Hughes(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 19. April 2007
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-415-41207-0 (ISBN)
Description
This well-researched book details the ambiguity in British policy towards Europe in the Cold War as it sought to pursue detente with the Soviet Union whilst upholding its commitments to its NATO allies.
From the early 1950s, Britain pursued a dual policy of strengthening the West whilst seeking detente with the Soviet Union. British statesmen realized that only through compromise with Moscow over the German question could the elusive East-West be achieved. Against this, the West German hard line towards the East (endorsed by the United States) was seen by the British as perpetuating tension between the two blocs. This cast British policy onto an insoluble dilemma, as it was caught between its alliance obligations to the West German state and its search for compromise with the Soviet bloc. Charting Britain's attempts to reconcile this contradiction, this book argues that Britain successfully adapted to the new realities and made hitherto unknown contributions towards detente in the early 1960s, whilst drawing towards Western Europe and applying for membership of the EEC in 1961.
Drawing on unpublished US and UK archives, Britain, Germany and the Cold War casts new light on the Cold War, the history of detente and the evolution of European integration.
This book will appeal to students of Cold War history, British foreign policy, German politics, and international history.
From the early 1950s, Britain pursued a dual policy of strengthening the West whilst seeking detente with the Soviet Union. British statesmen realized that only through compromise with Moscow over the German question could the elusive East-West be achieved. Against this, the West German hard line towards the East (endorsed by the United States) was seen by the British as perpetuating tension between the two blocs. This cast British policy onto an insoluble dilemma, as it was caught between its alliance obligations to the West German state and its search for compromise with the Soviet bloc. Charting Britain's attempts to reconcile this contradiction, this book argues that Britain successfully adapted to the new realities and made hitherto unknown contributions towards detente in the early 1960s, whilst drawing towards Western Europe and applying for membership of the EEC in 1961.
Drawing on unpublished US and UK archives, Britain, Germany and the Cold War casts new light on the Cold War, the history of detente and the evolution of European integration.
This book will appeal to students of Cold War history, British foreign policy, German politics, and international history.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
560 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-41207-0 (9780415412070)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€53.40
Shipment within 10-20 days

E-Book
06/2007
Routledge
€45.99
Available for download

E-Book
06/2007
Routledge
€45.99
Available for download
Person
University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK
Content
Introduction: Britain, Germany and Europe in the Cold War 1. Stunde Null to Deutschlandvertrag 2. Detente or Politik der Staerke? 3. Macmillan and the Search for Detente 4. The Fall of the Politik der Staerke and Rise of the Anglo-Saxon Consensus 5. The Wilson Government and the Divided Continent 6. Conclusion: A New Role, A New Era