How would the French National Assembly (and subsequently Italy) ratifying the European Defense Community treaty in 1954 change the next decade?
I'm thinking in particular of immediate concerns there - Algeria and Suez notably, followed by the formation of the Communaute Francaise; Indochine would already be resolved at this point.
Further on, would FINABEL have a stronger standing in procurement than it did IRL? Especially considering the EDC treaty essentially dictated such a position.
I don´t think it would work.
Even with all national parliaments ratifying the treaty mistrust (most against West Germany, a bit against Italy) will still remain. It´s just 9 years after WW 2 after all!
It probably would have been a three tier system:
- France and the Benelux in the top tier
- Italy in the middle tier
- West Germany at bottom
Given that system, France essentially would be in command given its size. Now add that only German units (under the treaty) would be under direct command of the EDC. All other governments retained ultimate command of their troops.
I just can see how the German public would react to German troops in Algeria under French EDC command. After all the Algerian departments were an integral part of France back then.
Now add development of nuclear weapons. Do you really think that France would share command and control of nuclear weapons?
It´s the same with procurement.
As the dominant country in the EDC, most arms will be designed there too. Just like with the USA in our TL. There might be a mountain gun from Italy, a tank gun from Germany, a fast attack boat from the Netherlands. But the main designs (the more complicated and profitable) will all come from France. West German in the 1950s would submit to that. And once established over a decade, it´ll probably stay that way.