The Europe Illusion: Britain, France, Germany and the Long History of European Integration

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In The Europe Illusion, Stuart Sweeney considers Britain's relationships with France and Prussia-Germany since the map of Europe was redrawn at Westphalia in 1648. A timely and far-sighted study, it argues that integration in Europe has evolved through diplomatic, economic, and cultural links cemented among these three states. Indeed, as wars became more destructive and economic expectations were elevated these states struggled to survive alone. Yet it has been rare for all three to be friends at the same time. Instead, apparent setbacks like Brexit can be seen as reflective of a more pragmatic Europe, where integration proceeds within variable geometry. Cover Title Page Imprint Page Contents Introduction: Brexit, Populist Aberration or Slow Burn Revolt? 1: From Holy Roman Empire to German Empire: Wars, Politics and Diplomacy, 1648–1864 2: From Bismarck to Brexit: Wars, Politics and Diplomacy, 1864–2018 3: Cameralism to Cobden-Chevalier: Economics of European Integration, 1648–1871 4: Bismarck’s Gold Standard to EMU: Economics of European Integration, 1871–2018 5: From Empire Plantations to Boers and Boxers: Empires, Migrations and Europe, 1648–1904 6: From Entente to Enlargement: Empires, Migrations and Europe, 1902–2018 7: Religion and the ‘Other’ in Europe, 1648–2018 Conclusion References Bibliography Acknowledgements Index