German Politics and the European Community

Abstract

Developments in post-war Germany, as well as in post-war Europe, were dependent on the constellation of the international System which had been determined by the antagonism between the two super-powers which at the same time were (together with France and the United Kingdom) Occupying Powers and held supreme authority in Germany. The Cold War as a conflict between two totally imcompatible types of political Systems had its effects on the policies the Big Four pursued in Germany - they could not reach consensus in basic questions concerning Germany's future - and their dissent as Occupying Powers contributed to intensifying the Cold War.

East and West (the French joined, after some hesitation, the course favoured by the Americans and the British since 1946/47) seemed to be determined to consolidate their respective areas by setting up a coherent Organization of states and to include their Occupational Zones into these adverse organizations, or better: blocs.