Contents

List of Abbreviations

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Preface

INTRODUCTION

1. SETTING THE SCENE

The Nature of Netherlands Neutrality

The German Problem and the Effects of the War

The Commercial Question

Dutch Territorial and other Claims on Germany

The Indonesian Factor

The Role of National Characteristics

Conclusion

2. EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENTS AND THE GERMAN QUESTION: THE DUTCH APPROACH

Introduction

The Netherlands and Europe

Marshall Aid and the Dutch Dilemma

Dutch Claims and Frustrations

European Unity

Conclusion

3. THE QUESTION OF SECURITY AND THE BRUSSELS TREATY ORGANISATION

Introduction

The Indonesian Thorn

The Path to the Brussels Treaty

The Brussels Treaty - a way of being heard?

Conclusion

4. THE NORTH ATLANTIC ROAD

Introduction

Lip Service - The Dutch Position on NATO?

The Indonesian Complication

The Dutch Atlantic Attitude

Conclusion

5. FROM THE ATLANTIC TO EUROPE

Introduction

Dutch Restraint

The British Information Campaign

Slow Realisation of Harsh Realities and Defence Problems

Trade before Ideology

Germany and NATO

The European Angle

Conclusions

6. WHOSE EUROPE?

Introduction

The Council of Europe - a weak beginning

The Schuman Plan

The Stikker Plan and the British

Conclusion

7. WHOSE DEFENCE?

Introduction

The Pleven Plan

The Dutch View

The English Disappointment

Conclusion

8. THE ROAD TO A STANDING ARMY

Introduction

The Resignation of the Government

External Pressures and Dutch Indignation

Stikker's Crisis

The British and American View

Conclusion

9. TOWARDS COMMITMENT

Introduction

Reluctant Participants

The Dutch Blindness

Germany and NATO

A New Enthusiasm for Europe

Defence - Less Enthusiasm

Conclusion

10. THE EUROPEAN ANSWER

Introduction

Germany and Commercial Precedence

Dutch-British Relations

EDC Enthusiasm - The Shining Example

Security through Europe

No Divorce, because of the Children

Conclusion

11. THE LAST LAUGH

Introduction

The Dutch, Europe and the EDC

The German Angle

Between EDC and NATO

Back to NATO

Conclusion

12. CONCLUSIONS

Notes

Appendix: list of Missing and Unavailable Files in the National Archives

Archivalia

Interviews

Bibliography

Index