Bullying Bonn: Anglo-German Diplomacy on European Integration, 1955-61

by M. Schaad

Overview

This study explores the formulation, tactics and impact of Britain's diplomatic efforts to induce the German government to abandon, modify and later to enlarge the European Economic Community. Its main contention is that British diplomacy between the Messina conference of 1955 and the first membership application of 1961 was counterproductive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349401499
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/19/2000
Series:	St Antony's Series
Edition description:	1st ed. 2000
Pages:	243
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.99(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

MARTIN SCHAAD is Researcher at the Einstein Forum, Potsdam, Germany. His doctoral thesis was awarded the German Historical Institute London Prize. His work on the history and politics of European integration has appeared in several learned journals and editions.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction From Indifference to Hostility: Britain, Germany and the Messina Project Entering Wedge or Counterblast? Britain's Plan G Mistaken, Misled or Misguided? British Hopes for German Mediation During the FTA Negotiations 'Bridge-Building' or: The Trade War That Never Was 'Bully the Germans - Buy the French': Towards Britain's First Application Intersection or Periphery? Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

A recurring theme in the history of postwar Anglo-European relations is that of Britain having missed the proverbial boat in taking part in European integration, long before eventually becoming a member of the European Economic Community (ECC) in 1973. Rather than pinpointing when the UK should have joined the integration effort, Schaad, a researcher with the Einstein Forum in Potsdam, evaluates tactical approaches chosen by the British government at key phases in this history: from lobbying for German support at the 1955 Messina conference, to Britain's first unsuccessful ECC application in 1961. The author concludes that the UK's position has shifted to the periphery from Churchill's metaphoric placement of the country at the intersection of the three circles of the Atlantic Alliance, the Commonwealth, and Europe. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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