Seventy-five years have passed since World War II concluded in Europe. Over this time, the United States has played a key role in ensuring European security. However, Donald Trump is currently casting doubt on this longstanding arrangement.
On May 8, 1945, the German forces capitulated, signaling the conclusion of World War II in Europe. The conflict started on September 1, 1939, with Germany’s invasion of Poland. However, fighting persisted in Asia for several additional months until Japan’s formal surrender took place. Notably, just prior to this event, Adolf Hitler, the totalitarian leader of Germany, had taken his own life within the confines of the “Führer” Bunker located in Berlin.
The horrors of this war exceeded those of all preceding conflicts: approximately 60 million individuals perished globally, six million Jews were systematically killed by the Nazi regime, vast areas across Europe lay in ruins, and countless people went missing or became refugees.
Following the collapse of Nazi Germany in 1945, a new two-sided global structure arose and persisted for approximately four decades. Throughout World War II, the Western Allies—the United States, Great Britain, and France—collaborated with the Soviet Union to overcome the fascist regime.
However, tensions arose even prior to the conclusion of the war: The Western Allies advocated for democratic principles and sought to establish a voluntary association with the vanquished nations. Conversely, the Soviet Union imposed a communist regime upon all territories it had overrun during its military operations.
In 1947, U.S. President Harry Truman introduced what would come to be known as the Truman Doctrine. This doctrine pledged American support for nations fighting against “armed minorities” or external forces attempting their domination.
The objective was to halt the spread of the Soviet Union. Europe became split into a Soviet-controlled east and an American-influenced west.
Reliance on protection from the US was assured.
Germany emerged as the central stage for this confrontation: a dividing line swiftly split the nation and even cut through Berlin itself. This period marked the height of the Cold War. Mutual deterrence maintained by the two major nuclear alliances—NATO, led by the United States, and the Warsaw Pact, dominated by the Soviets—prevented an all-out nuclear conflict from erupting. Nevertheless, the globe teetered perilously near to disaster multiple times during these years.
In the western region of Germany, which stayed divided until 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany received protection from the United States through NATO.
Even following the conclusion of the East-West conflict in 1989/90, German unification, and the disbandment of the Soviet Union, this persisted. There was a period when it seemed like all of Europe, encompassing Russia, might progress towards peace and democracy. Nations formerly under Soviet control became members of NATO.
Trump switches sides
However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this illusion was dispelled. A key tenet of the former system—that national boundaries could only be altered through peaceful means—no longer held true.
In the meantime, U.S. President Donald Trump has been casting doubt on NATO’s security agreements. He reiterated in March, “If those (other NATO countries) do not contribute their share, I will not provide protection.”
We find ourselves amidst a significant transformation, akin to pivotal political shifts in the last century, particularly in 1945 and 1989/91,” said historian Norbert Frei from the University of Jena during an interview with News Globe. “The Atlantic system set up post-World War II primarily through American efforts, benefiting Germany immensely—initially within the framework of Western European unity, later following the conclusion of the Cold War and the inclusion of Eastern Europe—is now crumbling right before us.
His fellow historian Manfred Görtemaker from Potsdam informed News Globe that Trump’s administration highlighted how “Europeans have overlooked their own defense while relying on American protection.”
Donald Trump wasn’t the initial U.S. president to urge Europe to increase spending on its defense. In 2016, Barack Obama stated, “Europe has at times been overly complacent regarding its defense.”
However, Trump has pushed this acara to new extremes. During the Ukraine conflict, he is essentially aligning himself with Russia. Should a ceasefire occur, Ukraine will not regain full control over its territories or have the opportunity to become part of NATO. This development is favorable for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Putin stated last year that the entire Euro-Atlantic security framework is collapsing right before our eyes.
Friedrich Merz seeks ‘autonomy’ from Washington
In Germany, some people are optimistic about returning to the previous transatlantic alliance following Trump’s term. However, Norbert Frei remains doubtful: “It’s difficult at this point to determine what will remain post-Trump administration—and predicting if we can restore the former setup seems nearly impossible.”
What does he suggest for the German government? “Since Konrad Adenauer embraced an unwavering dedication to the Western alliance, Germany has remained steadfastly integrated into Europe. Now, Germany needs to take all possible measures to guarantee that the European Union can endure politically, economically, and militarily, if needed, independent of the United States.”
Germany’s newly appointed Chancellor Friedrich Merz concurs with this sentiment. Shortly following the Bundestag elections, he stated that Europe needs to create its own security strategy, distinct from American influence.
Manfred Görtemaker warns against this notion: “Being independent of the U.S. is entirely unrealistic.” He argues that Europeans won’t manage to chart their own course because “it will still be the Americans who ensure nuclear deterrence. Thus, it would make the most sense to revert to strong collaboration between the U.S. and Europe founded on updated geopolitical calculations.”
Görtemaker conveyed his wish that Merz make the trip to Washington at the earliest convenience and stated, “‘I am confident that this collaboration, which has consistently been quite successful in previous endeavors, will persist.’”
In 2025, as we mark eight decades from the conclusion of World War II, will a more resilient Europe step into the role left vacant by an America no longer seen as dependable? Alternatively, could there emerge a fresh partnership with Washington? It falls to the newly formed German administration to address this pivotal issue.
The article was initially composed in German.
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Author: Christoph Hasselbach