stratos | Churchill’s 1946 «United States of Europe» speech in its Cold War context
Winston Churchill’s speech in Zurich in 1946, delivered at a time of post-war uncertainty and during the early days of the Cold War, is often regarded as a pivotal moment in the movement towards European integration. In his speech, Churchill called for the creation of the ‹United States of Europe› and emphasised the need for a partnership between France and Germany, which was particularly courageous in the light of the recent Nazi occupation. Churchill’s vision was, however, shaped not only by idealistic goals, but also by the strategic imperatives of the Cold War. The speech reflected his concern about Soviet expansion and his belief in the need for a strong, united Europe to withstand external threats. Although Churchill’s rhetoric on European unity was flexible and at times ambiguous, his advocacy of integration was closely linked to his broader geopolitical objectives and the realities of the emerging bipolar world order.
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