German Unification: An International History (Cold War History)

This book provides a multinational history of German reunification based on empirical work by leading scholars.

The reunification of Germany in 1989-90 was one of the most unexpected and momentous events of the twentieth century. Embedded within the wider process of the end of the Cold War, it contributed decisively to the dramatic changes that followed: the end of the division of Europe, the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the origins of NATO’s eastward expansion and, not least, the creation of the European Union. Based on the wealth of evidence that has become available from many countries involved, and relying on the most recent historiography, this collection takes into account the complex interaction of multinational processes that were instrumental in shaping German reunification in the pivotal years 1989-90. The volume brings together renowned international scholars whose recent works, based on their research in multiple languages and sources, have contributed significantly to the history of the end of the Cold War and of German reunification. The resulting volume represents an important contribution to our knowledge and understanding of a significant chapter in recent history.

This book will be of much interest to students of German politics, Cold war history, international and multinational history and IR in general.

Frédéric Bozo is Professor of Contemporary History, Sorbonne (University of Paris III), and author/editor of numerous titles, including Mitterrand, the End of the Cold War, and German Unification (2009).

Andreas Rödder is Professor of Contemporary History at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and author of multiple titles, including Deutschland einig Vaterland: The History of Reunification (2009).

Mary Elise Sarotte is Dean’s Professor of History at the University of Southern California (USC), and author of, most recently, The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall (2014).