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History 4360.001 Europe Since 1945 Spring 2020

Tu 18:30-21:20 WH 112
Alfred C. Mierzejewski

I. Introduction. The second half of the twentieth century saw Europe occupy a subordinate
position below the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. This represented a
dramatic change from the situation of European dominance that had prevailed for the preceding
two centuries. This course will provide an overview of how the Europeans dealt with this new
situation. It will address the rebuilding and political restructuring of Europe after World War II,
the drive for European unity, the return of prosperity and influence to Europe in the latter part of
the century and the realignments necessitated by the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe in
1989-1991. The course will focus on political, diplomatic and economic developments and place
Europe in world context.

II. Accommodation Statement: Any person with special circumstances covered by the
Americans with Disabilities Act should register with the Office of Disability Accommodation,
Suite 322, University Union Building and also inform the professor of this class. Reasonable
adjustments will be made to accommodate the special needs of students with disabilities where
such adjustments are necessary to provide equality of educational access. Students who have
registered with the ODA should make an appointment to discuss their disabilities
accommodation requests with the instructor. Students with special circumstances covered by
ADA may also consult the History Department’ s ADA Liaison, Professor Pommerleau in WH
234.

III. Grading.
First Examination 18. Feb 25% of the final grade
Second Examination 07. Apr 25% of the final grade
Paper 14. Apr 25% of the final grade
Final 05. May 25% of the final grade
Exams will consist of an essay question and five identifications. The essay question will be
chosen using an impartial method from a list of three potential questions distributed with this
syllabus. Students will choose five identifications from a list of ten shown on the exam sheet.
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I strongly recommend that you attend class.

I strongly recommend that you adhere to the university honor code.

IV. Learning Objectives.

1. Learn how the western European economies recovered from World War II.
2. Learn the basic characteristics of the socialist systems in eastern Europe.
3. Learn the basic patterns of and reasons for European integration.
4. Understand the relationship between Europe and the two superpowers.
5. Understand the reasons for the collapse of socialism in eastern Europe, 1989-91.
6. Learn how Europe has changed since 1990.
a. Governance structures.
b. European integration.
c. Reaction to globalisation.

V. Office Hours. My office is located at Wooten Hall 236. My office hours will be held on
Tuesday and Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30. Appointments may be arranged at other times.
My e-mail address is alfred.mierzejewski@unt.edu. In the event of an emergency, you will be
notified using the UNT email system.

VI. Reading. The books listed below are available at the bookstore and on line. They are an
integral component of the course and should not be considered as substitutes for the lectures.

Harold James. Europe Reborn. A History 1814-2000. Harlow, UK: Pearson Longman, 2003.
Anthony Seldon and Daniel Collings. Britain under Thatcher. Harlow, UK: Longman, 2000.
Andrew Shennan. De Gaulle. London: Longman, 1993.
Robert Skidelsky. The Road from Serfdom. New York: Penguin, 1995.
Charles Williams. Adenauer. New York: Wiley, 2001.

VII. Class Schedule.

14. Jan Introduction: Europe in 1945. The Exhaustion of Europe and the New
Equilibrium. 1945-1948. Read James, 223-236.
21. Jan Interim Answer to the German Question, 1945-1949. Britain from 1945 to 1963.
Read, James 236-274.
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28. Jan France from 1945 to 1958. The France of Charles De Gaulle, 1958-1969. Read,
Shennan, De Gaulle.
04. Feb The Federal Republic of Germany, 1949-1966. The Soviet Union from 1945 to
1964. Read James, Chapter 8; Williams, Adenauer.
11. Feb The Initial Steps toward European Unity, 1945 to 1963. Read James, 268-274.
18. Feb Examination.
25. Feb The Revolution of 1968. French Fifth Republic, 1969 to the Present. Read
James, Chapter 9.
03. Mar The Federal Republic of Germany, Economic Locomotive of Europe, 1966-1989.
The Regeneration and Decay of the USSR, 1964-1985. Read James,
Chapter 10.
17. Mar Britain from Stagnation to Revival, 1963-1990. The Eastern Bloc: Poland. Read
James, Chapter 11; Seldon and Collings, Britain under Thatcher.
24. Mar The Eastern Bloc: Czechoslovakia. European Integration 1963-1991. Read
James, 371-381.
31. Mar European Integration and Relations with the Superpowers, 1963-1991.
07. Apr Examination.
14. Apr European Intellectual and Cultural Trends. Gorbachev's Attempt to Transform
the USSR. Read James, 381-385, Skidelsky, The Road from Serfdom.
Paper Due.
21. Apr The Reunification of Germany. The Conflict over the Disintegration of
Yugoslavia. Read James, Chapter 13.
28. Apr Post-Cold War Europe.
08. May Final. 18:30. WH 112