European Defence and Political Community Treaties

Documents from [1950] to [1976]

Identity Statement

HAEU Reference Code
JMDS.A-08
Extent and Medium

n.7 files

Reference Archivists

Carr, Mary

Content and Structure

Abstract

The ever widening gap between the West and the Communist Bloc was causing great concern among NATO countries, this coupled with the invasion of South Korea by North Korea in June 1950 led to calls for the rearming of Germany to aid in the defence of Europe. In September 1950 John McCloy, US High Commissioner for Germany proposed the rearmament of ten German divisions. Monnet decided this was the time for France to take the initiative once again, which resulted in a speech by René Pleven, Prime Minister of France for the establishment of an European Army under Atlantic control. The "Pleven Plan" was recieved with reservations particularly in Germany, which would be the unequal partner in this project. General Eisenhower however saw the potential in the Plan and in a speech supported the establisment of an European Defence Force which would allow the rearmament of German units no larger than Regimental Combat Teams blended with other European units of the same size under Atlantic command but run by European Ministers. So the idea of an EDC was born without the discriminatory clauses against Germany. Monnet initially took a back seat but was called upon to act as one of the EDC "Wise Men" to assist in negotiating a Treaty. Averell Harriman represented the US with Edwin Plowden representing Britain. The main issues at the negotiating table were NATO, US-SHAPE and UK gurantees for the EDC, defence production in Germany and the action of the French Assembly and the Bundestag. But there were other obstacles and prejudices to be overcome - fear of abandonment of sovereignty, fear of German domination in the EDC and the scepticism in which professional military people held the idea of an European Army, particularly in France and Britain. Finally the Treaty was signed on 27 May 1952, yet with many doubts hanging over it. At this same time the idea for an Eurpean Political Community was coming into play to give the EDC greater political credibility in order to win over French Socialists who were hindering the progress of the EDC. It was agreed at the first session of the Council of Ministers of the ECSC that the Common Assembly of the CSC would create an internal ad-hoc Assembly to propose a draft EPC Treaty. However the real up-hill battle for the EDC was just beginning, with efforts for ratification of the Treaty, which sounded the death bell also for the idea of an EPC. Due to an upsurge in Nationalist sentiment in France various French governments under René Maye

Allied Materials

Location of Originals

The originals are held in various Archives in Europe and in the USA

Notes

Notes and Remarks

No Photocopying

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