Britain, France and the battle for the leadership of Europe, 1957-2007 /

"The book gives an account of an essential part of Britain's troubled relationship with the rest of Europe after 1945, particularly considering the rivalry of France and Britain between 1945 and 2007. The record of Britain's relations with the rest of Europe, and in particular with Fr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Davis, Richard, 1960 January 25- (Author)
Published: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group,
Publisher Address: Abingdon, Oxon :
Publication Dates: 2024.
Literature type: Book
Language: English
Series: Routledge studies in modern European history ; 100
Subjects:
Summary: "The book gives an account of an essential part of Britain's troubled relationship with the rest of Europe after 1945, particularly considering the rivalry of France and Britain between 1945 and 2007. The record of Britain's relations with the rest of Europe, and in particular with France, from 1945 onwards was seen by the politicians and diplomats in charge of foreign policy very much in terms of a diplomatic battle. This is paradoxical given that European integration was supposedly aiming to create a European community. Although Britain has usually been seen as an at best half-hearted participant in European integration it nonetheless maintained its ambition to assume the leadership of Europe. This inevitably led to a confrontation with France which shared the same goal. This book begins by looking at the opposing ways in which these two ancient European rivals presented very different models for the sort of Europe they wished to see emerge. It goes on to consider the record of their rivalry between 1945 and 2007. After this Britain effectively gave up the battle for the political leadership of Europe. This, however, should not obscure the fact that it had succeeded in imposing much of its social and economic model on Europe. This volume will be of interest to both undergraduate students and general readers interested in Britain's position in Europe"--
Carrier Form: 236 pages ; 24 cm.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9781032148984
1032148985
Index Number: DA47
CLC: D856.525.61
D856.125.65
Call Number: D856.125.65/D263
Contents: Leading Europe -- Fighting over Europe -- Defining and directing Europe -- Initial skirmishes -- Rethinking Europe -- Messina to the Treaty of Rome -- Facing up to de Gaulle -- EEC, FTA and EFTA : Europe at sixes and sevens -- Taking on de Gaulle -- Countering de Gaulle -- Entering the EEC -- Reforming and redirecting Europe -- Maastricht, monetary union and enlargement -- Last chance for leadership -- European laggards and leaders.