Pan-European Manifesto

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The flag of the Pan-European Union as described in the Pan-European Manifesto
Variation with the wheel cross in the Gösch

The Pan-European Manifesto was compiled by Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi and published in 1923 . It “marks the start of the unification movement of the European federalists. Coudenhove-Kalergi made the European idea popular again during a time of economic and political stagnation and resignation ”. The Pan-European Manifesto is also a propaganda message for the Pan-European Movement .

content

The Pan-European Manifesto by Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi is a call to the European peoples to be aware of the danger of a new war, which he already clearly points to in the Pan-European Manifesto, and the associated loss of meaning for Europe. In it he stated: "Europe's politics is heading for a new war."

Coudenhove-Kalergi expresses this very clearly: “Europeans! European women! Europe's fateful hour strikes! (...) This war of annihilation, which European politics is preparing, will leave the world war just as far behind in horror - as this will leave the Franco-German one . His element will be the air - his weapon the poison - his goal the extermination of the enemy nation . The main battle will be against the cities of the hinterland, against women and children. The defeated nations will be destroyed - the victorious will emerge mortally wounded from these mass murders . This impending war means the complete downfall of Europe, its culture and economy. Other continents will take its place. "

In this Pan-European Manifesto, Coudenhove-Kalergi has already clearly highlighted the main features of what he believes is an urgently needed union of states . This confederation of states should join together as the “fifth world power ” alongside Asia (under the leadership of Japan ), America , Russia and England and thus save the peace, freedom and prosperity of the Europeans .

structure

The Pan-European Manifesto is subdivided into several, not strictly separate focal points (calls):

  • Danger of a new European war of annihilation ,
  • The danger of Russia conquering Europe if there is no European merger,
  • The danger of economic ruin through "the fragmented economy of the divided states of Europe", which is not competitive with the closed economy of the United States of America ,

Coudenhove-Kalergi proposes a solution in the Pan-European Manifesto: “The only salvation from these impending disasters is: Pan-Europe; the amalgamation of all democratic states in continental Europe to form an international group, a political and economic association. "

The Zweckverband should

secure peace, freedom and the economy of Europe. "These three points essentially contain the pan-European program."

Pan-European borders

According to the Pan-European Manifesto, Pan-Europe comprises:

  • the peninsula between Russia, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea;
  • plus Iceland and
  • the colonies of the European states.

“The large European colony, which comprises half of Africa between Tripoli and Congo , Morocco and Angola , could supply Europe with raw materials if managed rationally. Russia and England are pan-European neighbors. These two world empires are viable even without Europe - while the other states of this continent are linked by their geographic location to form a community of fate; condemned to either perish together - or to rise together. "

“The inclusion of England in the future Pan-Europe is being called for from many sides. This demand fails because of the building of the British Empire. The Dominions would never allow England to enter into any closer relationship with any other state system than they do with them; the connection of the English Kingdom to Pan-Europe is no longer applicable. The annexation of the British Empire to Pan- Europe is rendered obsolete by the impossibility of transforming Canada into a European state. The consequence of this challenge to America would be the annexation of Canada to the Pan American Union and the collapse of the British Empire. "

Approach to the creation of Pan-Europe

According to the Pan-European Manifesto, a four-stage approach should enable Pan-Europe:

  1. Grouping of European states according to the model of Pan America;
  2. Conclusion of mandatory arbitration agreements and mutual border guarantees between the states of Europe.
  3. Defensive alliance to protect the common eastern border.
  4. Initiation of a customs union through periodic economic conferences of the European states.

The aim is to create the United States of Europe within the framework of a confederation .

European question

In terms of the social question , Coudenhove-Kalergi poses a European question that should consist of an either - or:

"War or Peace!"

" Anarchy - or organization!"

" Arms race - or disarmament !"

"Competition - or cooperation!"

"Collapse - or merger!"

Further effects

Building on the Pan-European Manifesto and other writings and its lectures, seven years later the draft of a Pan-European Pact of May 1930 for a European Union of States was created. Coudenhove-Kalergi has already sketched out the basic facilities and authorities in rudimentary form.

This unification of Europe was to be achieved by bringing the parliaments of the nation states together in a confederation of states .

Web links

literature

  • Rolf Hellmut Foerster : The idea of ​​Europe 1300-1946: Sources for the history of political unification . dtv , Munich 1963.
  • Anton Schäfer (Ed.): Draft constitution for the establishment of a European Union . Selected documents 1923-2000 . BSA, Dornbirn 2001, ISBN 3-9500616-7-3 .
    • as CD-ROM: draft constitution for the establishment of a European Union. Outstanding documents from 1923 to 2004. Volumes 1–4. Edition Europa, Dornbirn 2006 ISBN 3-901924-22-1 .

Sources and References

  1. ^ Anton Schäfer in "The draft constitution for the establishment of a European Union" , p. 27.
  2. ↑ The “ Pan-European Union ” is the organ of the Pan-European Movement. Entry is open to everyone who wants to save Europe and unite: women and men, clubs and organizations. She puts the duty on her fellow campaigners to fight for Pan-Europe. Everyone struggles with the means at their disposal. Recruit new pan-Europeans, force your candidates to commit to the European unification program! Who can speak for the propaganda, speak! Who can pay for them, pay! Who can write for them, write! Because the way to Pan-Europe means: Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda! - Extract from the Pan-European Manifesto, last call.
  3. ↑ Extract from the first part of the Pan-European Manifesto.
  4. ^ So Coudenhove-Kalergi. He uses the term "England" as a synonym .