Rebirth: A Political History Of Europe Since World War II

by Black,Cyril

• ISBN13: 9780813336640
• ISBN10: 0813336643
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1999-10-22
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Rebirth: A History of Europe Since World War IIexamines the transition of Europe from a period of crisis to an era of political confidence and economic strength. As the title suggests, the pervasive theme of the book is that of rebirth. The most recent decades are set in the context of modern European history as a whole. The authors trace the disillusionment and uncertainty that overcame Europe at the turn of the twentieth century and that culminated in the devastation of the Second World War. In their analysis of the political and economic causes of the renaissance that has followed the demise of the Cold War, the authors highlight the themes of national integration and economic modernization.The chapters are uniquely organized to present both international and domestic developments in Europe as coherent wholes as well as the importance of their interaction. The initial analysis of key international developments in the twentieth century helps students to understand the relationship between foreign and domestic events and provides background for the substantial discussion of the major European countries that follows in chapters devoted to each national experience. The political and economic histories of these nation-states are considered in terms of their individual traditions and challenges, and the authors explore difficult issues such as the overall costs and benefits of the scientific-technological revolution, the pursuit of social justice, the proper role of the state and of political parties, and contrasting national paths of economic and political development.Rebirthis designed as a text for use in courses on modern European history especially twentieth-century Europe and for students of comparative politics who are seeking a substantial consideration of the historical factors of European politics. In this revised edition, the authors have updated the text with an analysis of developments since 1991 and added recent scholarship to the lists of Suggested Readings.

Author Biography

Cyril E. Black was professor of history and international studies at Princeton University. Jonathan E. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Allegheny College. Paul C. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Wheaton College. A. James Adams is professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. Robert English is assistant professor of international relations at the Bologna Center of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. Cyril E. Black was professor of history and international studies at Princeton University. Jonathan E. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Allegheny College. Paul C. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Wheaton College. A. James Adams is professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. Robert English is assistant professor of international relations at the Bologna Center of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. Cyril E. Black was professor of history and international studies at Princeton University. Jonathan E. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Allegheny College. Paul C. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Wheaton College. A. James Adams is professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. Robert English is assistant professor of international relations at the Bologna Center of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. Cyril E. Black was professor of history and international studies at Princeton University. Jonathan E. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Allegheny College. Paul C. Helmreich is professor emeritus of history at Wheaton College. A. James Adams is professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. Robert English is assistant professor of international relations at the Bologna Center of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	xi
Preface	xiii
Preface to the Second Edition	xvii
PART ONE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Europe Triumphant: 1300--1900	3	(25)
Modernization and European History	5	(1)
The Medieval World	6	(3)
The Renaissance	9	(5)
The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment	14	(4)
Modern Industrial Society	18	(3)
The Era of Triumphant Optimism	21	(4)
Notes	25	(1)
Suggested Readings	25	(3)
Europe in Crisis: 1900--1945	28	(29)
The Decline of Europe	29	(1)
The First World War	30	(6)
Communism, Fascism, and National Socialism	36	(8)
The Second World War	44	(5)
Europe Shattered and Destroyed	49	(4)
Notes	53	(1)
Suggested Readings	53	(4)
PART TWO THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE
Europe Divided: 1945--1955	57	(48)
The Peace Treaties	59	(13)
The Cold War	72	(14)
Consolidation of the Two Camps	86	(7)
The Quest for West German Rearmament	93	(8)
The Warsaw Pact	101	(2)
Notes	103	(1)
Suggested Readings	103	(2)
East-West Equilibrium: 1955--1975	105	(39)
The Situation in the Mid-1950s	106	(5)
Integration in Western Europe	111	(17)
The Soviet Orbit	128	(8)
Detente	136	(6)
Notes	142	(1)
Suggested Readings	142	(2)
A New Europe Emerges	144	(57)
Furtherance of Western Integration	145	(6)
The Soviet Bloc	151	(7)
Disarmament Negotiations	158	(7)
The Great Change	165	(8)
The End of the Cold War	173	(10)
The Morning After	183	(14)
Suggested Readings	197	(4)
PART THREE THE NATION-STATES
Germany: West and East	201	(51)
Germany Under Four-Power Control	202	(11)
The Federal Republic of Germany	213	(15)
The German Democratic Republic	228	(12)
The New Germany	240	(10)
Notes	250	(1)
Suggested Readings	250	(2)
The Soviet Union	252	(51)
Evolution of Soviet Policy	253	(10)
The Soviet Order	263	(8)
The Gorbachev Era	271	(12)
Crisis and the Collapse of the USSR	283	(8)
Different Roads from Socialism	291	(9)
Notes	300	(1)
Suggested Readings	300	(3)
Eastern Europe	303	(53)
Postwar Governments	305	(8)
The New Soviet Orbit	313	(11)
Different Roads to Socialism	324	(14)
The Revolutions of 1989 and Beyond	338	(14)
Suggested Readings	352	(4)
The United Kingdom	356	(55)
Political Developments	361	(27)
Social Services	388	(3)
Economic Developments	391	(14)
Empire and Commonwealth	405	(4)
Notes	409	(1)
Suggested Readings	409	(2)
France	411	(59)
Establishment of the Fourth Republic	415	(5)
Internal and External Affairs	420	(9)
Establishment of the Fifth Republic	429	(3)
Domestic and Foreign Affairs	432	(13)
Gaullists, Socialists, and the Contest Between Ideology and Pragmatism	445	(22)
Notes	467	(1)
Suggested Readings	468	(2)
Italy and the Vatican	470	(44)
Establishment of the Republic	474	(3)
Internal and External Affairs	477	(23)
The Vatican	500	(12)
Notes	512	(1)
Suggested Readings	513	(1)
The Small States of Western and Northern Europe	514	(55)
Austria	516	(9)
Switzerland	525	(6)
The Lowlands	531	(11)
Ireland	542	(5)
The Scandinavian States	547	(13)
Finland	560	(5)
Notes	565	(1)
Suggested Readings	565	(4)
The Iberian and Aegean States	569	(46)
Isolation and Reemergence: The Iberian States	570	(21)
Economic Progress and Political Turmoil: The Aegean States	591	(17)
The Small States in Perspective	608	(2)
Notes	610	(1)
Suggested Readings	610	(5)
PART FOUR CONCLUSION
A New Europe	615	(32)
Europe's Destiny	616	(6)
The European Crisis	622	(5)
Toward a New Europe	627	(6)
Whither Europe?	633	(10)
Suggested Readings	643	(4)
Chronology	647	(38)
Index	685