German Unification: Security Implications for Europe

Abstract

A divided Germany has been the centerpiece of European security relations for the past 45 years. With Europe in turmoil over the implosion of the Soviet Union, the revolutions rushing through Eastern Europe, and impending European economic integration, the current security architecture is teetering. This study begins with a brief explanation of the theory of alliances and why nation states seek them. The chapter ends with a brief look into the post World War II division of Europe and Germany, and ends with a short discourse on the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The following chapter examines the impact of German unification on existing multinational forums, stressing NATO. Also presented is how the other Europeans view unification and what the security ramifications are on the Germans themselves. The conclusion presents several options for the future security architecture of Europe. In addition to the tradition research methodologies, interviews of key European civilian and military leaders were employed and are included in the paper.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA225163

Entities

People

  • Salvatore M. Bruni

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Central Europe
  • Cold War
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Nato
  • Political Systems
  • Second World War
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Strategic Security Studies