FRG's Nuclear Policy From 1950s To Early 1960s

As a defeated country, Federal Republic Germany (FRG) was disarmed and lost sovereignty. The main goals of the FRG were to keep the territorial security and restore sovereignty. In this process, FRG government hoped to achieve this goal through involving nuclear affairs then owning nuclear weapon. In this way, not only can FRG strengthen defending capability, but also up grade international status.The first chapter mainly interpreted the rearmament of the FRG. As the new prime minister of FRG, Konrad Adenauer's policy was totally integrated with western countries. In his opinion, the biggest threat came form orient, so the security of FRG must be tied with NATO. As the cold war intensified, the rearmament of FRG became a necessary need for western alliance. However, this is hard to come true because of the European psychological shadow of WWII and French resistance. After the failure of EDC, France was unable to bear huge pressure from the United States and Great Britain, "London-Pairs Agreement" finally got passed. FRG became a formal member of NATO.Chapter two detailed the early nuclear strategy of FRG. After became the first prime minister, nuclear weapon wasn't the top political choice for Adenauer on the ground of extensive distrust of European countries. At the same time, Adenauer's government didn't realize the effect of nuclear weapon for lacking of relative information. But after middle 1950s, "Carte Blanch" manoeuvre, "Redford incident", "Suze Crisis" etc. made Adenauer changed mind and gradually paid attention to nuclear weapon. To avoid fierce objection from European allies, Adenauer chose the way of "nuclear sharing", and which corresponded with American strategy. Therefore, FRG started to consider participating in nuclear plan to improve international status.The third chapter discussed FRG's policy toward "Flexible Response". The military strategy of FRG is fighting in out a limited conventional conflict with enemy. The much shorter wartime was supposed to be better, and then American nuclear weapon was expected to be used as soon as possible to deter the enemy, but this strategy seems run counter to Americans',Moreover, FRG wasn't content with the request of United States to enhance conventional forces. After "Atlanticist" Erhard came into power, two governments reach the agreement with both compromises. Chapter four introduced about FRG's attitude to Multilateral Nuclear force (MLF). The nuclear willingness of Great Britain and French became much stronger in early 1960's. Concerning this situation might stimulate nuclear desire of FRG and other western countries, so the United States proposed MLF plan. The purpose of MLF was to prevent nuclear proliferation, let European alliances just sharing nuclear weapon, but concentrated by U.S. Unlike general indifferent attitude of other west European countries, FRG appeared very positive for getting involved in nuclear affairs within NATO Structure. However, changing international environment and staunchly against of Great Britain and France gradually affected American attitude, MLF was abandoned at last, the plan of FRG to share nuclear weapon finally failed.