Resurgent of European Spirit After the Post War Era

In the postwar, A history of Europe Since 1945, by Tony Judt expounds on the remarkable history of the twentieth century from a European perspective. Judt maintains his resolve regarding the non-superpower actors by offering an affirmative multidimensional history that sidelined the diplomatic influence and military prowess by going an extra mile to criticize other authors, particularly John Lewis Gaddis account in the New York Review of Books for taking a stand premised on the parochial perspectives. The author introduces his readers to the triumphant Europe that was resistant to influences from both the Soviet Union and America by demonstrating how Europe came to its own right being after the devastation and humiliation of the three wars that took place. Judt articulately brings forth his impressive arguments that easily convinces the reader to use the Pan-European context in reevaluating the Cold War. The main theme of Tony Judts book was political stretching through European Unions struggle beyond cultuyral, administrative, and social tendencies for a consensus. Therefore, this paper will evaluate the effect of the European Union creation.

Precondition for a new European Model. The end of the Holocaust and World War II, generally regarded as the periods of political, ideological, and social extremism ceased being relevant in Europe. Through this revolution, the atrocities of this period served as a constant reminder to encourage the now homogeneous nations to maintain their moderation beyond blind nationalization for the benefit of the whole European region. part one of Judts book elucidates on the immediate aftermath of second World War until 1953 where Europe was considered battered, helpless, and broken continent that existed with malnourishment through diminished caloric intake, civil conflicts, and forced migrations. This despair only sets a benchmark about where the continent came from within just two decades of revolution. As a matter of fact, Judt acknowledges Winston Churcill, Charles de Gaulle, Konrad Adenauer and Luigi Einaudi as the individuals that revolutionized Europe from exhaustion and Hopelessness to prosperity and stability.Therefore, the model enabled the continent to transform from civil conflicts and malnourishment to a stable and prosperous regional block.

Emergence of the European Social Democracy through Ideological Consensus. Through the creation of the European Union, member countries were able to embrace a myriad of European norms including; Public education, welfare state, and healthcare. Through the European norms, the region adopted a popular culture, by way of movies, music, books, magazines, plays, television, makeup and fashion that, in turn boosted the European consensus. Despite the economic downturn of the 1970s, as inaugurated by Tony Judt through part three of this book, Western Europe was dedicated to restoring economic stability via democratic ideas that proved helpful in spite of the shaking regimes that were hitting in Eastern Europe. Therefore, emergence of European social democracy established an ideological consensus among member states that cultivated a never relenting culture for economy stabilization.

Disdain for Violence. Considering the bloodlessness with which Eastern Europe used in to overthrow the communist regime, it was a clear indication of the new aspect of the European Soul. As a result, the fear of the multi-ethnic societies and the reemergence of Germany came to an end after the post war era. Albeit the post-communism restructuring process not going on smoothly, the prospects of a united Europe were high and positive provided the terrible traumatizing memories of history were still alive.To accentuate on this prospect, Judt focused on neither alliance nor military aspects but rather emphasized on cultural, administrative and social issues. Through the unprecedented clarity, the author drew on the parallel existence of the Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War and beyond.

As a consequent of the new European soul and dedication for a stable, peaceful, and prosperous continent, the European spirit was outstanding after the World War II as the region proved stable despite the negative influences from some superpowers that tried to delay and oppress the resurrection of the region through its determined efforts to bring down communism in Europe. Therefore, creation of the European Union was the best thing to do as it enhanced peace, stability and prosperity within the region.

Bibliography

Judt, Tony. Postwar: A history of Europe since 1945. Penguin, 2006.

Mazower, Mark. Dark continent: Europe's twentieth century. Vintage, 2009.