The Atlantic Community Unravelling?
States, Protest Movements, and the Transformation of US-European Relations, 1969-1983

Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, Sept. 18-19, 2004

Conveners:

• Matthias Schulz (Vanderbilt University)
• Thomas A. Schwartz (Vanderbilt University)
• Bernd Schäfer (German Historical Institute)

Organized in cooperation with:

• German Historical Institute, Washington, D.C.
• German Academic Exchange Service [DAAD], New York
• College of Arts & Science, Department of History, the Center of European Studies
• and the Robert Penn Warren Center of the Humanities, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN

It is the purpose of this conference to bring together scholars from both sides of the Atlantic, and analyze the impact of protest movements, the crisis of authority, and new international challenges on transatlantic relations from 1969 - the beginnings of ‘Ostpolitik’ - to 1983, when the NATO double-track decision was implemented.

In the decades after World War II, both sides of the Northern Atlantic were tied together by an increasing number of networks on the governmental, military, economic, social and cultural level, creating a sort of ‘Atlantic Community’. By the late sixties, the rise of protest movements, and shifts in power relationships began to transform transatlantic relations. On the domestic scenes, the Cold War climate met with stiff resistance in the West. New social movements, partly acting on a transnational platform, turned their protest against the war in Vietnam, then, in the context of the North-South debate, against the ‘exploitation’ of the Third World, environmental pollution and, at the end of the seventies, against the resumption of the arms race. The authority of governments was put to serious tests, as evidenced by demonstrations and peace marches, Watergate, the Guillaume-affair, and the rise of terrorism.

On the international plane, the collapse of the Bretton Woods System, the Oil Crisis triggered by the War of 1973, and the developing countries’ call for a New Economic World Order demanded responses by the West, and threatened the cohesion of the ‘Atlantic Community’. By consequence, several initiatives were launched on the European and transatlantic levels to arrive at coordinated responses. The ‘New Ostpolitik’ under Willy Brandt paved the way for the Helsinki process, and thus a temporary relaxation of East-West tensions. The U.S. government tried to launch a ‘Year of Europe’ in order to redefine and tighten the partnership with its major allies. West European governments tried to strengthen their international political influence e.g. through ‘European Political Cooperation’, monetary cooperation, and the G-6/G-7 meetings of the leaders of the six/seven largest industrial nations. At the end of the decade the NATO double-track decision, resulting in another wave of peace protests, put the Alliance once more under strains.

How strong was the impact of new social movements and the North-South conflict on transatlantic relations? While multilateral networks were certainly intensified both between the European actors and within the transatlantic partnership, it may be asked whether attempts at coordinating responses to political, monetary, and economic crises were successful, or whether the U.S. and the Europeans began to drift apart.

The conveners invite papers in English on the following topics, approached either broadly or from the perspective of crucial actors or groups:

I. Crises of Political Authority

• Domestic Agendas of Protest: Beyond 1968
• The Watergate-Affair
• The Guillaume-Affair
• Terrorism and Political Leadership

II. Protest and Security

• ‘International’ Agendas of Protest: Beyond 1968
• Nonproliferation and Disarmament
• Détente and ‘Ostpolitik’
• The Helsinki Process and Beyond

III. From Dwarf to Political Actor: The Rise of the European Communities

• Dollar and D-Mark: Crisis of US Hegemony and the Rise of the FRG
• The Hague Summit of the EC, Britain’s Entry, and the ‘New’ Atlantic Partnership
• ‘European Political Cooperation’ (EPC) and Transatlantic Relations
• From Lomé I to Lomé III: The EC and the Third World

IV. Steering the International Economy or Protecting the Environment?

• “Limits of Growth” and the Rise of the Environmentalist Movement
• US and European Responses to the 1973 Oil Crisis
• The Fall and Rise of European Monetary Cooperation
• G-6/G-7 and the Atlantic Economy

V. The End of Détente? The Rise of Gender Politics, Peace Movements, and the West

• The Rise of Gender Politics, Women’s Movements, and Peace Movements
• The US, Europe, and the NATO Double-Decision
• Troublespots and Western Responses: Iran, Afghanistan, and Poland

The conveners would, of course, be happy to consider additional proposals on related issues. A publication of the conference papers is envisaged. Participants will receive contributions towards the most economic airfares and full accommodation for their stay in Nashville. Please submit a paper proposal of 250 words and a short CV by Nov. 30, 2003, to the conveners via Ms. Thomas of the German Historical Institute: B.Thomas@ghi-dc.org.