Great Power Politics and the Struggle over Austria, 1945-1955

Postwar Austria was a significant player in the East-West conflict due to its geographical and historical position. Audrey Kurth Cronin's book examines the negotiations over Austria and the Soviet Union's decision to withdraw its troops and accept the country as a neutral Western state, based on recently declassified British and American documents and interviews with key Austrian participants. Cronin's account of the creation of a neutral state in the heart of a divided Europe will be of interest to those concerned with security affairs, international relations, and the history of the Cold War.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Due to its geographical and historical location, postwar Austria was destined to play a significant role in the plans of both the East and the West. In this examination of an unusual episode in the Cold War, Audrey Kurth Cronin delves into the negotiations surrounding Austria and the Soviet Union's sudden and surprising decision to withdraw its troops and accept the country as a neutral Western state, after rejecting any settlement for eight years. Drawing on a wealth of recently declassified British and American documents and interviews with key Austrian participants, Cronin analyzes the events leading up to the 1955 Austrian State Treaty, thereby strengthening our understanding of current East-West relations. Her account of the creation of a neutral state in the heart of a divided Europe will be of utmost importance to all individuals interested in security affairs, international relations, and the history of the Cold War.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501772054