American Visions of Europe
Franklin D. Roosevelt, George F. Kennan, and Dean G. Acheson

This book is a biographical study of three American statesmen, concentrating on their distinct approaches to the problem of Europe.

John Lamberton Harper (Author)

9780521566285, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 June 1996

396 pages, 3 b/w illus.
23.3 x 15.4 x 3 cm, 0.563 kg

"Taken together, as an investigation of a theme, the triptych works surprisingly well....Taken singly, as biographies in miniature, they are even more impressive....They are explored throughout with exceptional sympathy and discrimination." Alex Danchev, Times Higher Education Supplement

This book is a biographical study of three American statesmen, concentrating on the development of their distinct attitudes and political programs with respect to the problem of Europe in American foreign policy: Roosevelt's partial internationalism, aiming at the retirement of Europe from world politics while avoiding American entanglement; Kennan's partial isolationism, aspiring to restore Europe's centrality and autonomy through temporary American engagement; and Acheson's accommodating interventionism, establishing the United States as a permanent power in Europe at the behest of European and American interests. The purpose of the book is to explain how and why they arrived at very different solutions to the problem of internecine conflict in Europe, and to show the continuing relevance of their ideas. Three learned and elegantly written portraits are set against the background of the dramatic events and foreign policy controversies of the twentieth century.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I: 1. Franklin Roosevelt, Europe, and American diplomatic culture, 1882–1932
2. The Roosevelt administration and the European question, 1933–1941
3. The Roosevelt solution, 1941–1945
Part II: 4. George F. Kennan: the sources of estrangement, 1904–1944
5. Three worlds instead of two: George F. Kennan and Europe, 1944–1950
Part III: 6. Dean Acheson, 1893–1947: a Victorian for all seasons
7. Acheson and Europe, 1949–51: a statesman's progress
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], General & world history [HBG]