TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS SINCE 1945 Facing the First Challenges: the Transatlantic Partnership during the 1950s Today s outline The development of institutional frameworks to implement the West s policy NATO European integration The first ruptures within the West Suez crisis The credibility of U.S. commitment to the defense of Europe Different visions/roles for the U.S. and Europe? Global vs. regional? The Cold War outside of Europe vs. the stability of the Cold War order in Europe 1
Increased perception of Soviet threat stronger commitments to counter it The creation of the People s Republic of China and the end of U.S. nuclear monopoly NSC-68 (1950) Military build-up necessary to counter the Soviet Union The Korean War (1950-1953) The strengthening of the military integrated structure of NATO The question of the rearmament of West Germany and its integration in the Western security structure The strengthening of the integrated military structure of NATO (1) Dec. 1950 General Eisenhower appointed the first Supreme Allied Commander, Europe April 1951 Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, soon to become known as SHAPE, becomes operational (near Paris) Oct. 1951 signing of the protocol for accession of Greece and Turkey into NATO 2
The strengthening of the integrated military structure of NATO (2) Feb. 1952 Greece and Turkey enter NATO, thereby greatly strengthening the Alliance's southern flank Feb. 1952 the North Atlantic Council meeting in Lisbon reorganizes the structure of the Alliance and NATO becomes a permanent organization with its headquarters in Paris April 1952 Allied Command Atlantic becomes operational, with headquarters in Virginia, USA The question of the rearmament of Germany and its integration in the Western security structure Economic aspect May 1950 French proposal for the creation of a single authority to control the production of steel and coal in France and Germany, open for membership to other countries (Schuman Plan) Military aspect October 1950 French Prime Minister outlines his plan for a European unified army, including German contingents, within the framework of NATO (Plevan Plan) 3
Military integration of Europe does not evolve May 1952 signature of the Treaty setting up the European Defense Community BUT following the decision of the French National Assembly on 29 August 1954, the Treaty did not come into force Secretary of State Dulles: agonizing reappraisal of U.S. relations with Europe October 1954 Paris Agreements the three Western powers terminate occupation regime and recognize the Federal Republic of Germany as a sovereign state the Federal Republic and Italy accede to the Brussels Treaty (the Western European Union) the Federal Republic of Germany is invited to join NATO Europe continues to rely on the U.S. for its defense (the Atlantic framework ) May 1955 the Federal Republic of Germany becomes a member of NATO May 1955 the USSR concludes the Warsaw Pact with Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and Romania 4
But the economic integration of Europe proceeds April 1951 European Coal and Steel Community was created The Rome Treaties: EURATOM and the European Economic Community (1957) the Six : France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg Key objectives of the EEC: a common market and customs union; closer union among the peoples of Europe; pooling of resources to strengthen peace The first (public) rupture within the West the Suez Crisis Events: Egypt arms agreement with Czechoslovakia (1955) Nasser seeks financing of Aswan Dam no U.S. aid declares nationalization of the canal (July 1956) Anglo-French-Israeli intervention (Oct. 1956) Introduction of UN Force Consequences: Retreat of United Kingdom and France from the region Definite end to colonial aspirations The U.S. opposes the Anglo-French intervention The importance of avoiding increased Soviet influence (as result of the power vacuum) 5
Dilemmas on the credibility of the U.S. commitment to the defense of Europe Soviets launch sputnik (1957) The potential U.S. vulnerability raises questions on the reliability of massive retaliation The introduction of flexible response Different visions/roles for the U.S. and Europe? De Gaulle The force de frappe European Europe third force between U.S. and the U.S.S.R. Global vs. regional interests? The Cold War increasingly global moves outside of Europe The Cold War order in Europe increasingly stable 6
The increasingly global Cold War Middle East (Eisenhower Doctrine, 1957) Africa the impact of decolonization Ghana becomes independent (1957), initiating the decolonization of sub-saharan Africa Latin America After revolution in Cuba (1959), preoccupation of the spread of Communist influence Southeast Asia Korea (1950-1953) Vietnam (from decolonization to U.S. intervention) Therefore, the global containment of the Soviet Union Alliance systems for the containment of the Soviet Union 1954 the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand 1955 Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) United Kingdom, Iraq (until 1959), Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, USA 7
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And for the U.S. an increasingly global assumption of responsibility Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--i welcome it. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. John F. Kennedy, 1961 9
The stability of the Cold War order in Europe 1956: the Hungarian crisis stability of the division in Europe No roll back of the Soviet Union The emerging of rules of coexistence? 1958-1961: the Berlin Crisis Grows out of the need to stop emigration of East Germans to the West, via Berlin The status quo accepted by both sides The Berlin Wall (1961) - symbolized the definitive acceptance of the division of Europe 10