The United States and Western Europe since 1945 From "Empire" by Invitation to Transatlantic Drift

by Lundestad, Geir

• ISBN13: 9780199266685
• ISBN10: 0199266689
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-11-06
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Based on new and existing research by a world-class scholar, this is the first book in 20 years to examine the entire dynamics ofthe American-European relationship since 1945. The relationship between the United States and Western Europe has always been crucial, and current events dictate thatit is becoming ever more so. In this important new work, Geir Lundestad analyses the balance between co-operation and conflict which has characterized this relationship in the post-war period. He examines talk of transatlantic drift, and the strain now apparent between the USA and thenation-states of Western Europe. In the concluding section, Lundestad offers a topical view of the future of transatlantic interaction. Throughout this work, Lundestad's much cited 'empire by invitation' thesis is both put into practice and extended in time and scope. This book is essential readingfor anyone interested in one of the most important and enduring international relationships of the last 60 years.

Author Biography

Geir Lundestad is Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of History at the University of Oslo.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	x
Introduction	1	(21)
The Historical Setting: The United States and Western Europe before 1945	22	(5)
Cooperation Established: ``Empire'' by Invitation, 1945--1950	27	(36)
The Atlantic Community, Germany's Role, and Western Europe's Integration, 1950--1962	63	(48)
De Gaulle's Challenge to America's Hegemony, 1962--1969	111	(31)
The United States, Western Europe, and Out-of-Area Disputes, 1945--1975	142	(26)
Conflict and Cooperation: American--Western European Relations (not) Redefined, 1969--1977	168	(33)
From Bad to Worse: The United States and Western Europe, 1977--1984	201	(25)
The End of the Cold War and Cooperation in the End, 1984--1993	226	(23)
America's New Strong Role in Europe, 1993--2001	249	(20)
Transatlantic Drift: The Present and the Future	269	(26)
Bibliography	295	(20)
Index	315