Alliance in Crisis: The Cold War in Western Europe, 1960-1985

This set of 4 lectures explores the tense and troubled relationship between America and its Cold War allies, France, Germany and Italy between 1960 and 1985. Beneath a public mask of anti-communist unity, the former great powers of Europe resented their roles in the alliance, felt domestic backlash against US policies and nuclear proliferation, and regularly looked for ways to demonstrate power and independence – without threatening their economic recovery or giving support to the Russians. Critical leaders such as Charles de Gaulle, Conrad Adenauer, Willy Brandt and Aldo Moro each looked to follow an autonomous path, even as their countries realized economic success and unprecedented achievement in the creation of the modern welfare state.