The Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany, 1952–1974: The Quest for Atlanticism

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"“Based on impressive multi-archival work and a keen sense for a good narrative, the author introduces us to the complex, interlocking networks of the littleknown Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany. A fantastic addition to our understanding of the ‘Transnational Transatlantic’ in the 20th century” - Giles Scott-Smith, Roosevelt Chair in New Diplomatic History, Leiden University, The Netherlands "An original and insightful book exploring how two transatlantic networks worked to improve and solidify West Germany’s relationship with the United States in the aftermath of World War II- transnational history at its best.” - Deborah Barton, Assistant Professor of History, University of Montreal, Canada Revisiting the relationship between the USA and Germany following the Second World War, this book offers a new perspective and focuses on the influence of two organisations in accelerating West Germany’s integration into the Atlantic Alliance. Tracing the Atlantik-Brücke and the American Council on Germany’s (ACG) origins to the late 1940s and tracking their development and activities throughout the 1950s-70s, this book covers new ground in German-American historiography by bridging public and private relations and introducing central actors that have previously been hidden from academic debate. The author unveils and examines dense transatlantic elite networks that allowed Germany to re-join the ‘community of nations,’ regain sovereignty, and become a trusted member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).  Analysing transatlantic relations through the lens of the intertwined history of the Atlantik-Brücke and the ACG, this book explores public-private networks on a transnational level, providing valuable reading for those studying political history, European and American post-war relations and the Cold War. Acknowledgements Contents Abbreviations List of Graphs List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction Private Elites and Foreign Relations Casting and Connecting “Good Germans” The Founders and Their Motivations Meaning and Significance of the Atlantik-Brücke and ACG Forging Transatlantic Links in the American Century This Book Chapter 2: Unlikely Friends: The Founders of an Unfolding Transatlantic Elite Network A Transatlantic Commuter: Eric Moritz Warburg, 1900–1990 The Warburg Dynasty New York Apprenticeship in the 1920s Brief Return to Germany, a Country in Upheaval Starting Anew in the US A Transatlantic Commuter’s Life A German-Born Jew with an American Passport Reviving West German Industry Unofficial Service to the Cause of German-American Relations Germanophile Cold Warrior: Christopher Temple Emmet, 1900–1974 The “Bourgeoisie” of the United States: Emmet’s Family Background Emmet’s Political Activism Emmet and the CFR The “Committee” Cold Warrior Fighting Communism by Opposing US Foreign Policy in Occupied Germany The East Prussian Countess: Marion Dönhoff, 1909–2002 “Ancient Aristocratic Lineage”: Dönhoff’s Family Background The Countess’ Educational Career The Countess’ 20 July Connection Starting Anew: The Countess Turned Journalist Crossing the Atlantic Again Dönhoff’s Networks The Most Unlikely Atlanticist Hanseatic Merchant and Politician: Erik Blumenfeld, 1915–1997 Hamburg Merchants and Danish Gentry From Bourgeois Dandy Life to the “Parade Grounds of Concentration Camps” Reviving Business in Hamburg Entering Politics Speaking Out on Economic Issues Adenauer’s Unofficial Foreign Policy Adviser The Atlanticist Looking East Conclusion Chapter 3: The “Good” Germans and Their American Friends: The Atlantik-Brücke’s and the ACG’s Membership The Beginnings The Atlantik-Brücke The 1950s: Establishing a White-Washing Agency for West German Industry The 1960s: The Politicisation of a Private Elite Club The American Council on Germany The American Friends of the “Good” Germans The ACG Struggling with a Changing Zeitgeist Conclusion Chapter 4: Boosting the German Image: The Funders of a German-American Public Diplomacy Effort West German Public Agencies The Federal Press Office The Foreign Office and the Federal Chancellery Boosting Transatlantic Elite Networking: The ACG and the Ford Foundation An Institutional Relationship Underpinned by Transatlantic Friendships Ford Foundation Money and Activities of the ACG Corporate Donors to the Cause of German-American Relations Inverted Roles During the 1950s and 1960s: The ACG on Financial Life Support from West German Industrial Circles Coming of Age in the 1970s: “The Chairman” Turns the Tide Conclusion Chapter 5: Off the Record: The Informal Diplomacy of the ACG and the Atlantik-Brücke Public Diplomacy and Beyond, 1952–1959 Adenauer’s Trips to the United States Confiscated German Property in the US The Kennan Acheson Controversy Challenges to Atlanticism: 1960–1967 The Franco-German Friendship Treaty of 1963 Détente and the End of the Era of the Cold Warrior Christopher Emmet, 1968–1974 The Non-proliferation Treaty Brandt’s Ostpolitik and the First Young Leaders’ Conference Conclusion Chapter 6: Promoting a Transatlantic Identity: The German-American Conferences, 1959–1974—A Public-Private Project The Culture of Transatlantic Elite Networking Setting and Social Events Surrounding the Transatlantic Elite Meetings Tribute to the Frontline City: Visiting Tours to Berlin A German-American Elite Network Evolves: A “Common Western Parliament”? The Selection Process The Transatlantic Elite Network The Inner Circle of the Conference Network The Debates Within the German-American Elite: Courting Controversy? Disengagement Germany’s Nazi Past The Vietnam War East-West Trade Conclusion Chapter 7: A German-American Elite Network in the Post-Cold War Era Outlook and Conclusion Sources and Literature Primary Source Material Unpublished Sources Archives Published Sources Reports of the German-American Conferences: Annual Reports Miscellaneous Interview Cited Newspapers Consulted Secondary Literature Index