Britain and Germany in Europe 1949-1990

Anglo-German relations since the Second World War have been, in contrast to earlier periods of the twentieth century, generally warm and constructive. There have, however, also been periods of acute tension, showing that underlying sources of conflict remain. This volume of essays by leading historians from both countries explores the relationship first in matters of 'high politics': different approaches to European integration, common interests in security through NATO, and reactions to German unification. The second part of the volume examines broader themes, the comparative performance of the two economies, and cultural influences both at the elite and popular levels. The development of common assumptions in some areas, for instance among historians, has not been matched in others, such as in the reporting of football matches. British perceptions have remained coloured by fears of German dominance, a fear aggravated by the success of the Federal Republic compared to the relative decline of Britain in the post-war period. Contributors to this volume - Jonathan Wright, University of Oxford Clemens A. Wurm, Humboldt University, Berlin Alan S. Milward, European University Institute Martin P. C. Schaad, Einstein Forum, Potsdam N. Piers Ludlow, London School of Economics Gustav Schmidt, Ruhr University Bochum Beatrice Heuser, King's College London Lothar Kettenacker, Deputy Director of the German Historical Institute London; University of Frankfurt Klaus Larres, Queen's University of Belfast Sir Julian Bullard, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, and St Antony's College, Oxford Jens H'olscher, University of Brighton Henry Loewendahl, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, Belgium Benedikt Koehler, World Gold Council, London Anthony Glees, Brunel University A.J. Nicholls, University of Oxford Peter Alter, Gerhard Mercator University, Duisburg Klaus Reichert, Centre for Research in Early Modern History, Culture, and Science Andreas Helle, University of Frankfurt am Main Jonathan Noakes, University of Exeter Peter Wende, formerly Director of the German Historical Institute London; University of Frankfurt am Main