Unequal Partners: French-German Relations, 1989-2000

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The reconciliation of France and Germany is a landmark in the history of the twentieth century. Between 1870 and 1950 they fought three wars. Then, as founders of the European Community they became linked by increasingly close economic, political, and cultural ties. Friend asserts that it is no exaggeration to say that the French-German relationship has been central to the history of Western Europe in the second half of the twentieth century. However, as Germany has grown into the economic giant of Europe, in particular after the reunification of East and West Germany, new elements have emerged in this unequal, but unavoidable partnership. Friend explores both the domestic and foreign affairs elements of this relationship and points to the compelling nature of the integration movement and its consequences for and on France and Germany.

Reviews

Julius Friend's book takes over where his previous one published in 1991, The Linchpin: French-German Relations, 1950-1990, stops and analyzes in a concise fashion the fifty-year-old partnership, especially since German reunification, while providing an excellent condensed review of the history of the EU. The fact that a history of the EU can be undertaken from this angle is in itself a testimony to the strength of the Franco-German relationship.-German Studies Review
"Julius Friend's book takes over where his previous one published in 1991, The Linchpin: French-German Relations, 1950-1990, stops and analyzes in a concise fashion the fifty-year-old partnership, especially since German reunification, while providing an excellent condensed review of the history of the EU. The fact that a history of the EU can be undertaken from this angle is in itself a testimony to the strength of the Franco-German relationship."-German Studies Review

Author Bio

JULIUS W. FRIEND is Professional Lecturer in History at The George Washington University. He has published extensively, with his latest book being The long Presidency: France in the Mitterrand Years, 1981-1995 (1989).