On March 10, 1952, almost a decade before the Berlin Wall existed, the U.S.S.R. controversially proposed the creation of a reunified, rearmed and neutral Germany. A year before Stalin's death, this was the last overture he tendered on "the German Question." However, the bid failed and Germany remained divided for another 38 years. Why? One can understand neither the Cold War nor the eventual reunification of Germany in 1990 without understanding this 1952 incident. The world in which we live now was created in no small part by the backroom decisions during a few months of 1952. This book on the March Note should appeal to both the armchair historian and the social scientist. Besides being a fascinating tale of diplomatic intrigue, it provides a valuable case study for International Relations scholars. Scholarly arguments of Realism vs. Idealism, levels of analysis, open vs. closed door diplomacy, the selection of which tier of authority to address an issue (from chief of state to low functionary), institutionalism and path-dependence, and the ever-present issue of spin control are all in evidence here. As such, this book could make a useful classroom assignment in International Relations, Diplomatic History, American or European Studies, Journalism or Media Studies. Yet, the theoretically-disinclined can also leave these arguments in the background and simply enjoy this little-known tale of empires which still shapes our lives today.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
an excellent job... concisely provides all the essential elements... recommend this book to anyone interested in the early...Cold War. -- A reader, July 2003
About the Author
John Walko, Ph.D., has worked as a Political Science professor and a research scientist for a public policy think tank.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, case closed,
By willyschiller (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Balance of Empires: United States' Rejection of German Reunification and Stalin's March Note of 1952 (Paperback)
Like my professor said, "excellent diplomatic history," and about the comprehensive treatment of the topic, "case closed!"
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor choice for academics and the general public.,
By Christopher H (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Balance of Empires: United States' Rejection of German Reunification and Stalin's March Note of 1952 (Paperback)
I have to admit there's precious little literature on the German Question and the March 10th "Stalin" Note in English; however, Mr. Walko's book, while trying to rectify this scholarly gap, fails to contribute anything meaningful the discussion. His sources are largely outdated and don't go beyond English language scholarship -- thus neglecting issues already debated in German academia. Although he makes a cursory reference to Rolf Steininger's English translation of "The German Question," he neglects other interpretations entirely. The book's value to general public, let alone professional scholars, is questionable.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Friedrich Nietzsche, the nineteenth-century German philosopher, believed that the Germans of his day were a people of Slavic blood and French high culture. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
March Note, State Department, West German, United States, Soviet Union, Federal Republic, Western Europe, Cold War, East German, The New York Times, West European, High Commissioner, Red Army, Eastern Europe, Secretary of State Acheson, World War, Austrian State Treaty, Kurt Schumacher, Central Europe, Rolf Steininger, Soviet Deputy, Western Germany New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Friedrich Nietzsche, the nineteenth-century German philosopher, believed that the Germans of his day were a people of Slavic blood and French high culture. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
March Note, State Department, West German, United States, Soviet Union, Federal Republic, Western Europe, Cold War, East German, The New York Times, West European, High Commissioner, Red Army, Eastern Europe, Secretary of State Acheson, World War, Austrian State Treaty, Kurt Schumacher, Central Europe, Rolf Steininger, Soviet Deputy, Western Germany New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 6
books:
See all 6 books this book cites
- On Every Front: The Making and Unmaking of the Cold War (Revised Edition) (Norton Essays in American History) by Thomas G. Paterson in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Cold War: The Great Powers and their Allies (2nd Edition) by John Dunbabin in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Third Reich (Experiences of War) by James Sidney Lucas in Back Matter
- Third Reich by Rh Value Publishing in Back Matter
- Changing Western Analysis of the Soviet Threat by Carl-Christopher Schweitzer in Back Matter
See all 6 books this book cites
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