The Reluctant Empire? U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg Historisches Seminar der Universität Heidelberg

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Ruprecht-Karls-Universität HeidelbergCurt-Engelhorn Chair in American History Prof. Dr. Manfred BergWinter Term 2008/2009

The Reluctant Empire?

U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century

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Empire by Invitation? The U.S. and Western Europe

The American Reconstruction of Europe

The Americanization of European Culture

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Europe in 1945

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George C. Marshall, 1880-1959 US Army General, Chief of

Staff, 1939-1945

US Sec. of State, 1947-1949

US Sec. of Defense, 1950-1951

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 1953

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Marshall Plan, 1948 - 1951 $12.5 billion (about $100 billion in

today‘s currency)

Goals: Increase of production Expansion of trade Financial stability European economic cooperation

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Marshall Plan, 1948 - 1951

United Kingdom: $2.9 billion France: $2.6 billion West Germany: $1.3 billion Italy: $1.3 billion

Total of $12.5 billion equals 1.2 percent of U.S. GNP during 1948 to 1951.

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Jean Monnet, 1888-1979 Deputy General of the League

of Nations, 1919-1923

President of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), 1952-1955

Founder of the Action Committee for a United States of Europe, 1955

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U.S. and European Integration

Strong pillar of containment Swift economic recovery Avoid future wars Solution to the German problem

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Charles de Gaulle, 1890-1970 Led the Forces Françaises

Libres (free french forces) during WWII

Chairman of the Provisional Government of France, 1944-1946

President of France, 1959-1969

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John F. Kennedy in Berlin, 1963

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Coca Colonization? Coke ad, 1952 Coke ad, 1955

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Amerika Houses

The first Amerika Haus in Heidelberg was located on Uni-Platz in the 1940s

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Cultural Diplomacy

United States Information Agency Voice of America Radio Free Europe Fulbright Program

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GIs in Europe

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Hollywood in Europe

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Elvis Presley, 1935-1977

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Student Protest in Europe

Rudi Dutschke leads students in protest

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Angela Davis, b. 1944

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Anti-Americanism?

Criticism of U.S. foreign policy?

Criticism of specific aspects of American society and culture?

Fundamental rejection of Western liberalism and democracy?