For a Democratic "United States of Europe" (1918–1951)

Freemasons – Human Rights Leagues – Winston S. Churchill – Individual Citizens
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-3-515-12464-5
Verlag: Franz Steiner

Buch, Deutsch, Englisch, Band Band 33, 195 Seiten, Gebunden, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 477 g

Reihe: Studien zur Geschichte der Europäischen Integration (SGEI) / Études sur l’Histoire de l’Intégration Européenne (EHIE) / Studies on the History of European Integration (SHEI)

The idea of a "United States of Europe" was revived during the European Parliament elections in May 2019. However, the idea dates back to the early 19th century while being particularly popular in the first half of the 20th century. It focused on how European integration is related to democracy and human rights. The main player was civil society, including, in the inter-war period, the interconnected human rights leagues and Masons. The resistance in World War II carried the idea forward. It reached its peak popularity between 1946 and 1951, when Winston Churchill pleaded in favour of a "United States of Europe". This caused many people to write to him and those letters provide insights into the concept of a European unity from an individual point of view.

This book is based on the analysis of extensive archive material of Masons, human rights leagues and those letters to Churchill. It enhances critical research on the idea of Europe and its civil society base. It also takes a fresh look at Masons, human rights leagues and at the interconnections between the notions of Europe and civilization.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Schmale, Wolfgang

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Internationale Beziehungen Europäische Union, Europapolitik

Über Autor(innen)

Schmale, Wolfgang
Wolfgang Schmale war Professor für Geschichte der Neuzeit an der Universität Wien. Er ist Mitglied der Academia Europaea, der European Academy of Sciences and Arts und des wissenschaftlichen Beirats des Hauses der Europäischen Geschichte. Zu seinen Forschungsgebieten zählen die Geschichte der Menschenrechte und der Demokratie, Europa und die Europäische Union, die Aufklärung und deren Erbe sowie das Digitalzeitalter.