Book Project/CFP

'The History of France and Germany has for centuries seen nothing but a continuous attempt to get closer together, to understand each other, to dissolve one into the other.'
Ludwig Börne, 1836

In today's Europe it is a common place to consider that there is a special relationship between France and Germany and that the Franco-German partnership played and, despite recent problems, still plays a central role in Europe. The multiplication of labels applied to Franco-German relations - axis, couple, tandem, engine, motor, partnership if not privileged partnership, alliance, hard core, etc. - are only different expressions of that idea. However, in order to understand the present and future of the Franco-German partnership, it is also necessary to take its past into account.

While, for obvious reasons, much has already been written in French and German on Franco-German relations, the academic literature in English on this topic mainly deals with most recent aspects or very specific issues of the bilateral relationship. As matter of fact, a complete historical overview of the evolution of Franco-German relations still is not available in English.

Tentatively entitled From 'Hereditary Enemies' to Partners - A History of Franco-German relations in Europe, this book is first and foremost designed to close a gap in the scholarly literature in English on Franco-German relations. Conceived as a reader for English-speaking students, scholars and instructors, the book's aim is to highlight and discuss the historical foundations which the contemporary Franco-German relationship is based upon, the different aspects and dimensions of the bilateral relations and, therefore, its very nature. Ultimately, the book would present the most recent results of the scholarly research on Franco-German relations in Europe.

Interested young researchers are invited to submit papers within the general topics listed below:
- Franco-German relations from Napoleon to World War II: France and the German unification, The Franco-Prussian War and the 'hereditary enemy' concept, France, Germany and the Great War, The Briand-Stresemann Era, Franco-German collaboration and German occupation during WWII.
- Franco-German couples in Postwar Europe: Franco-German rapprochement and the first steps towards integration, Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, including the Elysée treaty, From Adenauer to Brandt: Charles de Gaulle, Ludwig Erhard and Kurt Georg Kiesinger, Georges Pompidou and Willy Brandt, Valery Giscard D'Estaing and Helmut Schmidt, Helmut Schmidt, Francois Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl, Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schroeder
- The third in Franco-German relations: the United States of America, the United Kingdom, The Soviet Union/Russia, Poland/Weimar Triangle, RDA
- Development and achievements of the bilateral relationship: Military, Education/Culture, Civil-society, city partnership, Economy

Researchers interested in contributing to the volume but willing to propose another topic, should first contact the editors prior submitting their application.

Ph.D. students and post-doctoral researchers will be eligible but the editors are also willing to consider proposals from other researchers. Interested researchers should submit their application in English, French or German. However, the final paper should be written in English. The application should include a resume indicating the current affiliation/institution/position and including a brief abstract of the Ph. D-thesis, Post-doc or current project of maximum 200 words, as well as an 800 words summary of the proposed paper.

Applications should be emailed simultaneously to the editors Carine Germond (Yale University), carine.germond@yale.edu and Henning Türk (University Duisburg-Essen), henning.tuerk@nexgo.de. The deadline for submission is 1st April 2006.