On 17 March 1948, against the background of the Cold War between the two superpowers — the United States and the Soviet Union — the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool questions Europe’s role and position on the international scene.
'Precarious pasture.’ On 25 April 1950, the German cartoonist Beuth illustrates the dangerous position of the Federal Republic of Germany, which finds itself at the centre of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
‘A burnt child dreads the fire.’ In December 1948, as debates are held concerning the defence of Western Europe, the German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the concern felt by the Germans, who, three years after the end of the Second World War, are faced with the possibility of rearmament of their country.
At the closing session of the European Movement’s Congress, held in The Hague from 8 to 10 October 1953, Altiero Spinelli, general delegate from the European Federalist Movement, presents a report on the political future of a united Europe and analyses the links between the Cold War and European unity.
‘Roadworks.’ On 20 August 1955, the Soviet publication Krokodil illustrates the progress of the steamroller of international cooperation, in favour of peaceful coexistence, as it crushes the symbols of the Cold War in its path.
‘... Air raid warning.' On 20 September 1955, the Soviet satirical publication Krokodil deplores the sabotage, by Cold War supporters, of ‘the Spirit of Geneva' and of the new climate of dialogue symbolised by the Geneva Conference which, from 18 to 21 July 1955, was attended by the Four Powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the USSR).
On 26 June 1963, the US President, John F. Kennedy, gives a historic address in the Rudolph Wilde Platz in Berlin. At the height of the Cold War, he declares ‘Ich bin ein Berliner', making it clear that every inhabitant of the ‘free world' is behind the Berliners in the city's American, British and French zones.
The Cold War continues! In 1975, mutual mistrust between the USA and the USSR fuels the arms race between the two superpowers and is a cause of intense disquiet throughout the world.
Acknowledging the fact that the CSCE is no longer simply a Conference, the Budapest Summit of 5 and 6 December 1994 changes its name to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This gives the Organisation a new political impetus, while also reflecting its institutional development since the end of the Cold War.
On 22 August 1968, the day after the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro outlines the international and political consequences of the Soviet aggression and speaks of a return to the darkest days of the Cold War.