1941 photo by Yousuf Karsh
Extracts from the text of Churchill's speech:
"I wish to speak to you today about the
tragedy of Europe.
This noble continent, comprising on the whole the fairest and the most
cultivated regions of the earth; enjoying a temperate and equable climate, is
the home of all the great parent races of the western world. It is the fountain
of Christian faith and Christian ethics. It is the origin of most of the
culture, arts, philosophy and science both of ancient and modem times.
If Europe were once united in the sharing of its common inheritance,
there would be no limit to the happiness, to the prosperity and glory which its
three or four hundred million people would enjoy. Yet it is from Europe that
have sprung that series of frightful nationalistic quarrels, originated by the
Teutonic nations, which we have seen even in this twentieth century and in our
own lifetime, wreck the peace and mar the prospects of all mankind.
And what is the plight to which Europe has been reduced?
Some of the smaller States have indeed made a good recovery, but over
wide areas a vast quivering mass of tormented, hungry, care-worn and bewildered
human beings gape at the ruins of their cities and homes, and scan the dark
horizons for the approach of some new peril, tyranny or terror.
Among the victors there is a babel of jarring voices; among the
vanquished the sullen silence of despair.
That is all that Europeans, grouped in so many ancient States and
nations, that is all that the Germanic Powers have got by tearing each other to
pieces and spreading havoc far and wide.
Indeed, but for the fact that the great Republic across the Atlantic
Ocean has at length realised that the ruin or enslavement of Europe would
involve their own fate as well, and has stretched out hands of succour and
guidance, the Dark Ages would have returned in all their cruelty and squalor.
They may still return.
10th paragraph: Yet all the while there is a remedy which, if it were generally and
spontaneously adopted, would as if by a miracle transform the whole scene, and
would in a few years make all Europe, or the greater part of it, as free and as
happy as Switzerland is today.
What is this sovereign remedy?
It is to re-create the European Family, or as much of it as we can, and
provide it with a structure under which it can dwell in peace, in safety and in
freedom.
We must build a kind of United States of Europe...
In this way only will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain
the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living.
The process is simple.
All that is needed is the resolve of hundreds of millions of men and
women to do right instead of wrong, and gain as their reward, blessing instead
of cursing.
Much work has been done upon this task by the exertions of the
Pan-European Union which owes so much to Count Coudenhove-Kalergi and which
commanded the services of the famous French patriot and statesman, Aristide Briand.
There is also that immense body of doctrine and procedure, which was
brought into being amid high hopes after the First World War, as the League of Nations.
The League of Nations did not fail because of its principles or
conceptions. It failed because these principles were deserted by those States
who had brought it into being. It failed because the Governments of those days
feared to face the facts and act while time remained. This disaster must not be
repeated. There is, therefore, much knowledge and material with which to build;
and also bitter dear-bought experience.
20th paragraph: I was very glad to read in the newspapers two days ago that my friend
President Truman had expressed his interest and sympathy with this great
design.
There is no reason why a regional organisation of Europe should in any
way conflict with the world organisation of the United Nations. On the contrary,
I believe that the larger synthesis will only survive if it is founded upon
coherent natural groupings.
There is already a natural grouping in the Western Hemisphere. We
British have our own Commonwealth of Nations. These do not weaken, on the contrary
they strengthen, the world organisation. They are in fact its main support.
And why should there not be a European group which could give a sense of
enlarged patriotism and common citizenship to the distracted peoples of this
turbulent and mighty continent and why should it not take its rightful place
with other great groupings in shaping the destinies of men?
In order that this should be accomplished, there must be an act of faith
in which millions of families speaking many languages must consciously take
part.
We all know that the two world wars through which we have passed arose
out of the vain passion of a newly united Germany to play the dominating part
in the world.
In this last struggle crimes and massacres have been committed for which
there is no parallel since the invasions of the Mongols in the fourteenth
century and no equal at any time in human history.
The guilty must be punished. Germany must be deprived of the power to
rearm and make another aggressive war.
But when all this has been done, as it will be done, as it is being
done, there must be an end to retribution. There must be what Mr Gladstone many
years ago called 'a blessed act of oblivion'.
We must all turn our backs upon the horrors of the past. We must look to
the future. We cannot afford to drag forward across the years that are to come
the hatreds and revenges which have sprung from the injuries of the past.
30th paragraph: If Europe is to be saved from infinite misery, and indeed from final
doom, there must be an act of faith in the European family and an act of
oblivion against all the crimes and follies of the past.
Can the free peoples of Europe rise to the height of these resolves of
the soul and instincts of the spirit of man?
If they can, the wrongs and injuries which have been inflicted will have
been washed away on all sides by the miseries which have been endured.
Is there any need for further floods of agony?
Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?
Let there be justice, mercy and freedom.
The peoples have only to will it, and all will achieve their hearts'
desire.
I am now going to say something that will astonish you.
The first step in the re-creation of the European family must be a
partnership between France and Germany.
In this way only can France recover the moral leadership of Europe.
40th paragraph: There can be no revival of Europe without a spiritually great France and
a spiritually great Germany.
The structure of the United States of Europe, if well and truly built,
will be such as to make the material strength of a single state less important.
Small nations will count as much as large ones and gain their honour by their
contribution to the common cause.
The ancient states and principalities of Germany, freely joined together
for mutual convenience in a federal system, might each take their individual
place among the United States of Europe. I shall not try to make a detailed
programme for hundreds of millions of people who want to be happy and free,
prosperous and safe, who wish to enjoy the four freedoms of which the great
President Roosevelt spoke, and live in accordance with the principles embodied
in the Atlantic Charter. If this is their wish, they have only to say so, and
means can certainly be found, and machinery erected, to carry that wish into
full fruition.
But I must give you warning. Time may be short.
At present there is a breathing-space. The cannon have ceased firing.
The fighting has stopped; but the dangers have not stopped.
If we are to form the United States of Europe or whatever name or form
it may take, we must begin now.
In these present days we dwell strangely and precariously under the
shield and protection of the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb is still only in the
hands of a State and nation which we know will never use it except in the cause
of right and freedom. But it may well be that in a few years this awful agency
of destruction will be widespread and the catastrophe following from its use by
several warring nations will not only bring to an end all that we call
civilisation, but may possibly disintegrate the globe itself.
I must now sum up the propositions which are before you.
Our constant aim must be to build and fortify the strength of the United
Nations Organisation.
Under and within that world concept, we must re-create the European
family in a regional structure called, it may be, the United States of Europe.
50th paragraph: The first step is to form a Council of Europe.
If at first all the States of Europe are not willing or able to join the
Union, we must nevertheless proceed to assemble and combine those who will and
those who can.
The salvation of the common people of every race and of every land from
war or servitude must be established on solid foundations and must be guarded
by the readiness of all men and women to die rather than submit to tyranny.
In all this urgent work, France and Germany must take the lead together.
Great Britain, the British Commonwealth of Nations, mighty America, and
I trust Soviet Russia - for then indeed all would be well - must be the friends
and sponsors of the new Europe and must champion its right to live and shine."
Summary:
- Europe has been devastated by war and unsure of its future.
- The remedy is a United States of Europe.
- The USA wants to help Europe rebuild.
- A united Europe would contribute to the strength of the United Nations.
- Historic inspiration: Coudenhove-Kalergi, Aristide Briand, League of Nations.
- International cooperation (example of the Commonwealth, a "natural grouping") means peace.
- Europeans have common citizenship (paragraph 23).
- Germany guilty but retribution pointless; look to the future not the past.
- Franco-German partnership.
- More power to the smaller European nations.
- The Unites States of Europe should defend the "4 freedoms" and principles of Atlantic Charter.
- Creation of USE urgent because of proliferation of A-bomb.
- Creation of Council of Europe (paragraph 50).
- Pragmatic approach: "those who will and those who can" should set up a union, other countries will follow.
- France and Germany should lead the setting up of the union.
- GB and co. will "sponsor" creation of USE.
Comments:
Churchill, a Conservative, gave this 1946 speech when leader of the opposition (he could only express his opinion as a senior world statesman, not as a member of the British Government, hence his reserve about the role of the UK). The impact of the speech was great in impulsing post-War European integration.
There are four main ideas:
- the building of a "kind of United States of Europe";
- the need for Franco-German leadership in rebuilding Europe;
- the suggestion for a Council of Europe;
- the role of the UK as "sponsor" (but not as an integral part of the USE?).
Churchill set up the United Europe Mouvement in 1947; it was to contribute to the organization of the Hague Congress in 1948 (which Churchill presided). Churchill was very much for European integration (he is considered one of the "Founding Fathers"). He was seen - despite his support for a United States of Europe - as a confederalist regarding Europe rather than as a federalist as such. He saw the UK (and himself!) has having an important role to play in world affairs after the war, including promoting European integration (as a means to resist Soviet expansion, cf. his ""Iron curtain" speech").
Note that Konrad Adenauer had given a speech on 24 March 1946 at Cologne University in which he said: "I am German and I will stay a German, but I have always been a European... The concept of a United States of Europe is the best, safest and most durable protection for West Germany’s neighbors."
Adenauer, a Christian-Democrat and the first post-war Chancellor of West Germany (1949 to 1963), wanted Germany to be seen as deserving the same rights as other nations. He was worried that the identity of Germany might be threatened by a supranational European structure. He wanted (like Churchill and also De Gaulle) a confederation of European states (rather than a federation), in which Germany would cooperate with other countries on an equal footing. Adenauer is one of the "Founding Fathers" of the EU.
Note that Konrad Adenauer had given a speech on 24 March 1946 at Cologne University in which he said: "I am German and I will stay a German, but I have always been a European... The concept of a United States of Europe is the best, safest and most durable protection for West Germany’s neighbors."
Adenauer, a Christian-Democrat and the first post-war Chancellor of West Germany (1949 to 1963), wanted Germany to be seen as deserving the same rights as other nations. He was worried that the identity of Germany might be threatened by a supranational European structure. He wanted (like Churchill and also De Gaulle) a confederation of European states (rather than a federation), in which Germany would cooperate with other countries on an equal footing. Adenauer is one of the "Founding Fathers" of the EU.
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