20.3 Impact on European politics and balance of power

German reunification in 1990 reshaped Europe's political landscape. A larger, more powerful Germany emerged as the continent's economic powerhouse, sparking both excitement and concern among its neighbors.

This shift accelerated European integration as Germany sought to ease fears about its growing influence. The Maastricht Treaty in 1992 established the European Union, deepening political and economic ties between member states.

German Reunification and European Integration

Enlarged Germany's Impact on European Integration

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• German reunification in 1990 created a larger, more populous nation at the heart of Europe
• Enlarged Germany emerged as the dominant economic power in the European Union
• German economic strength led to increased political influence within European institutions
• Reunification accelerated the process of European integration as Germany sought to reassure neighbors about its enhanced power
• Germany advocated for deeper political and economic ties to embed itself within a united Europe

Maastricht Treaty and European Union Formation

• Maastricht Treaty signed in 1992 established the European Union
• Treaty created a three-pillar structure for the EU (European Communities, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Justice and Home Affairs)
• Introduced the concept of European citizenship
• Laid groundwork for the creation of a single European currency (euro)
• Set convergence criteria for member states to join the Eurozone (inflation rates, government debt levels, exchange rate stability)

Franco-German Relations and European Leadership

• Franco-German partnership remained crucial for driving European integration post-reunification
• France initially hesitated about German reunification, fearing a shift in the balance of power
• Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand worked to strengthen Franco-German cooperation
• Joint initiatives by France and Germany often set the agenda for European policy
• Franco-German motor faced challenges as Germany's economic dominance grew
• Tensions arose over economic policies, particularly during the Eurozone crisis

NATO and EU Expansion

NATO Enlargement in Eastern Europe

• NATO expanded eastward after the fall of the Soviet Union
• Poland, Hungary, and Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999
• Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) became NATO members in 2004
• Expansion aimed to stabilize former communist countries and strengthen Western alliance
• Russia viewed NATO enlargement as a threat to its security interests
• NATO's eastward expansion strained relations between the West and Russia

European Union Enlargement Process

• EU expanded to include former Eastern Bloc countries
• 2004 saw the largest single expansion with 10 new member states (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia)
• Romania and Bulgaria joined in 2007, Croatia in 2013
• Enlargement process involved extensive negotiations and reforms in candidate countries
• Copenhagen criteria established requirements for EU membership (democracy, rule of law, human rights, functioning market economy)
• EU expansion aimed to promote stability, democracy, and economic development across the continent

Shifting Power Dynamics in an Expanded Europe

• Eastward expansion altered the balance of power within European institutions
• Germany's influence grew due to its strong ties with Central and Eastern European countries
• New member states often aligned with Germany on economic policies
• Franco-German leadership faced challenges from diverging interests of an enlarged EU
• Formation of regional blocs within the EU (Visegrád Group, Nordic-Baltic cooperation)
• Decision-making processes became more complex with an increased number of member states
• Tensions arose between "old" and "new" Europe over issues such as migration and EU budget allocation