Foreign Policy analysis
Germany had during most of its history but especially during the 21st century a very expansionist policy where they claimed to have a very powerful and strong role in world politics. This got to a point to the outbreak of WW1 and WW2. This caused devastating consequences in Germany. Germany was able to rebuild their economy thanks to western aid and become a loyal and determined ally to the allied members who still looked at Germany with a bit of reluctance. The Federal Republic of Germany joined NATO in May 1955 and readily accepted that almost all of its 340,000 combat forces would be assigned to NATO. Germany’s goals of security and economic development merged into a strategy of deeper European economic cooperation with the ultimate goal of the EU.
Some of the similarities between Germany and Gulliver are:
Gulliver being tied down by the people of Lilliput is very similar to how Germany was left after the Second World War.
It can also be argued that most western countries hold Germany as a pet and a submissive country when it comes to NATO as Germany complies with almost all requirements made.
As well as Gulliver, Germany does not seem to find its correct place in the world and is often in between its new position as “humanitarian nation” and being a loyal ally.
Gulliver and the general’s jealousy and Germany and French reluctance to German rearmament in order to understand the difficulties that Germany faced when it comes to be trusted.
1949 – late 1950s
Adenauer’s unification policy, 2 main assumptions
1. Washington and Moscow held the key to German question (CORRECT)
2. The balance of power between the Cold War blocs would shift in favor of the West, (INCORRECT)
The US and the Soviet Union did not want Germany to be unified because it would throw off Europe’s balance of power
1955
Economic revival & Bonn’s Western alliance increases significantly
This success made accentuated Cold War division and sealed division of Germany
Late 1950s – late 1960s
Compelled to choose between Washington and Paris
Washington wanted to speed up the Germany’s partnership in the Western military alliance
France wanted to stop West Germany’s influence in international bodies
German Foreign policies
1. Resulted in Franco-German Friendship Treaty
2. Followed a more flexible course
Ehrad rejected the pact because it wanted to keep 4 options available for its policy:
