For a Democratic "United States of Europe" (1918-1951) : Freemasons - Human Rights Leagues - Winston S. Churchill - Individual Citizens

The idea of a "United States of Europe" was revived during the European Parliament elections in May 2019. However, the idea dates back to the early 19th century while being particularly popular in the first half of the 20th century. It focused on how European integration is related to democracy and human rights. The main player was civil society, including, in the inter-war period, the interconnected human rights leagues and Masons. The resistance in World War II carried the idea forward. It reached its peak popularity between 1946 and 1951, when Winston Churchill pleaded in favour of a "United States of Europe". This caused many people to write to him and those letters provide insights into the concept of a European unity from an individual point of view. This book is based on the analysis of extensive archive material of Masons, human rights leagues and those letters to Churchill. It enhances critical research on the idea of Europe and its civil society base. It also takes a fresh look at Masons, human rights leagues and at the interconnections between the notions of Europe and civilization. -- Provided by publisher Contents Acknowledgments Prologue I. Introduction The Churchill Moment Social History of the Idea of European Unity European Civil Society and the Idea of European Unity Definition of “Civil Society” The French Prism Resistance Movements Civil Society and Ordinary Citizens II. Freemasons and the Idea of Europe in the 1920s and 1930s Introduction Strengths and Weaknesses of Existing Research on Masonry Aspects of Masonic History Masonic “United States of Europe” The Setting of the Case Study The Masonic Idea of Europe and Colonialism The League of Nations and United States of Europe Franco-German Reconciliation and Europe The Convention of 1933 – “Statut de l’Europe de demain” III. Human Rights Leagues and the Idea of Europe During the Interwar Period Introduction: French Leadership Citizens for Human Rights and “Europe vécue” “Les Cahiers des Droits de l’Homme” (1920–1940) Human Rights Leagues and the Idea of a United States of Europe The Concept of Civilization, Colonialism and Europe – Conclusion IV. “My Dear Mr. Churchill ...” Introduction General Characterization of the Letters to Winston Churchill Overview of Contents Using Selected Letters Letters from Germany Letters from France Letters from the USA Letters from Other Countries Priorities Europe as a Civilization Europe as the Occident – “Saviour of the Occident” Europe – Wiping the Slate Clean after the Vitiation A Europe of Democracy and Human Rights? Conclusion Epilogue Summaries Deutsch English Français Documentation Primary Sources: Archives A Archives des collectivités Ligue des droits de l’homme (France) – Archives rapatriées de Moscou, relations avec les Ligues étrangères Various fonds Les Cahiers des droits de l’homme (print, copy of BDIC) B ME – Mouvement Européen C GLDF Archives: Archives russes GLDF Archives GLDF Bibliothèque Other Primary Sources Secondary Literature Index