German-French Union

I've read somewhere that in the 1970s(?) there were plans of creating a confederation of France and Germany. What if these became reality and that confederation was turned into a real union of both nations?
How would this change history?
 

Deleted member 1487

I've read somewhere that in the 1970s(?) there were plans of creating a confederation of France and Germany. What if these became reality and that confederation was turned into a real union of both nations?
How would this change history?
Do you mean an economic union like Benelux? I doubt it would go beyond an EU-type organization, as the language and cultures were just too different, not to mention the historical bitterness between the populations. ASB
 
Any source, link?
Sadly not, but in the german Wikipedia article about the french-germen-friendship is a hint that some considered a confederation.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsch-französische_Beziehungen#Europ.C3.A4ische_Integration
Do you mean an economic union like Benelux? I doubt it would go beyond an EU-type organization, as the language and cultures were just too different, not to mention the historical bitterness between the populations. ASB
It is not an ASB. Saying it is an ASB and mentioning of 'heritary eminity' tells me that you know nothing about french-german relations. First there is the Élysée Treaty from 1963(which was revised in 1988) which restarted the friendship and cooperation between both nations.
Then there is the Franco-German Ministerial Council meeting twice a year since 2003 and the Blaesheim-Meetings since 2001.
And there is the Franco-German Brigade created in 1987.
And some french presidents and german chancellors were friends (de Gaulle/Andenauer, Giscard d'Estaing/Schmidt, Mitterand/Kohl).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-German_cooperation

 

Deleted member 1487

Sadly not, but in the german Wikipedia article about the french-germen-friendship is a hint that some considered a confederation.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsch-franz%C3%B6sische_Beziehungen#Europ.C3.A4ische_Integration

It is not an ASB. Saying it is an ASB and mentioning of 'heritary eminity' tells me that you know nothing about french-german relations. First there is the Élysée Treaty from 1963(which was revised in 1988) which restarted the friendship and cooperation between both nations.
Then there is the Franco-German Ministerial Council meeting twice a year since 2003 and the Blaesheim-Meetings since 2001.
And there is the Franco-German Brigade created in 1987.
And some french presidents and german chancellors were friends (de Gaulle/Andenauer, Giscard d'Estaing/Schmidt, Mitterand/Kohl).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco-German_cooperation
Political cooperation and union of governments are vastly different things. Just like how the EU hasn't and won't turn into the US, Germany and France won't form one nation because politically and even just emotionally they don't want to.
Even by your own sources they just 'restarted' their friendship for the first time in hundreds of years after hating each other since at least the 30 years war, and you expect us to believe that suddenly a decade later they would become one nation.
Go ahead a present a scenario for us to critique because I cannot imagine one that would have either nation want to combine into a single one, short of nuclear war that forces the mutant survivors into it. Now if you wanted to get into the pre-1900 era, then we can work on a scenario, but post-1900 and WW2, NOT HAPPENING.
 
I see this differently. Before WW1 it would not be possible. German foreign policy of that time prevents it. Between the wars it was also not possible because of what happened in the war and after the war in the rhineland. But the horrors of WW2 forced them to change their policy. They wanted to prevent another war. That the reason behind the foundation of the European communities which lead to the Élysée Treaty.The cooperation between France and Germany is much closer that those between all other members of the EU (even between the Benelux members). Or have you ever heard that the british prime minister acts for the irish prime minister on a conference? This happens regularily between France and Germany. So if cooperation between two states exist which is just a step away from creating a confederation, it is possible that a real union can happen, because confederations either break apart or become federations.
 

HJ Tulp

Donor
That's the point of view of those who do not like the Franco-German cooperation or fear that they are among the losing side in the EU. ;)

What is? The idea of the Franco-German Axis? That's not a point a view, that's geopolitical fact :confused: I agree that it is far less then it was 10 years ago with what looks like a divide between North and South Europe but it's still pretty relevant.
 
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