Verteidigungsgemeinschaft
Speech by Konrad Adenauer to the Bundestag (Bonn, 7 February 1952)
TexteIn a speech to the Bundestag on 7 February 1952, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer puts the case for the European Defence Community (EDC).
Cartoon by Behrendt on the failure of the EDC (1954)
Image'Hallo, over here!' In 1954, even if re-armed West Germany cannot accede to the abandoned European Defence Community, the doors of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) remain wide open to the West German troops.
Statement by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bonn, 1 September 1954)
TexteOn 1 September 1954, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) issues a statement on the international political situation following the rejection, two days earlier, of the plan for a European Defence Community (EDC) by the French National Assembly.
Cartoon by Cummings on the question of German rearmement (26 May 1952)
Image‘I don't know what effect he'll have on the enemy, but by heaven! - he frightens me' On 26 May 1952, the day before the signing of the Treaty instituting the European Defence Community (EDC), the British cartoonist Cummings portrays French fears about the risk of German rearmament.
Cartoon by Lang on the action taken by Konrad Adenauer in support of German rearmament
Image‘Konrad Greenfingers.' In the 1950s, Ernst Maria Lang, German cartoonist, emphasises the efforts of Konrad Adenauer, German Chancellor, to secure the rearmament of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).
Cartoon by Leo on the Franco-German Treaty of Friendship (20 June 1963)
Image'Under the protection of the ally - the Paris-Bonn Axis'. In June 1963, the Soviet weekly publication Krokodil strongly condems Franco-German cooperation, seen by the USSR as being the first step towards German rearmament.
Cartoon on the plan to create a European army (17 February 1951)
ImageIn 1951, the East German daily newspaper Tägliche Rundschau disapproves of the plan to set up a European army and criticises US policy in Europe.