West Germany, Cold War Europe and the Algerian War

A major new account of Germany's role as sanctuary for Algerian nationalists during their fight for independence from France between 1954 and 1962.

Mathilde Von Bulow (Author)

9781107459687, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 February 2019

482 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.3 cm, 0.68 kg

'[This] masterful book follows the somersaults in a liberal Rechtsstaat where the overreach of state power can produce inverse and uncontrollable consequences.' Quinn Slobodian, German History Journal

An illuminating and provocative account of Germany's role as sanctuary for Algerian nationalists during their fight for independence from France between 1954 and 1962. The book explores key issues such as the impact of external sanctuaries on French counterinsurgency efforts; the part played by security and intelligence services in efforts to eliminate these sanctuaries; the Algerian War's influence on West German foreign and security policy; and finally, the emergence of West German civic engagement in support of Algeria's independence struggle, which served to shape the newly independent country's perception of its role and place in international society. Mathilde Von Bulow sheds new light on the impact of FLN activities, the role of anti-colonial movements and insurgencies in the developing world in shaping the dynamics of the Cold War, as well as the manner in which the Algerian War was fought and won.

Introduction
1. Internationalising colonial warfare: FLN strategy and French responses
Part I. Creating the Sanctuary - November 1954 to May 1958: 2. West German diplomacy and the Algerian War
3. The FLN's implantation in Germany
4. Algeria and West German opinion
5. FLN contraband in West Germany
Part II. Contesting Sanctuary and Sovereignty - June 1958 to December 1960: 6. The diplomatic war
7. The intelligence war
8. The propaganda war
9. The war of action
Part III. Asserting Sovereignty - January 1961 to July 1962 and Beyond: 10. Sanctuary to sovereignty
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: The Cold War [HBTW], Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], African history [HBJH], European history [HBJD]