1998: boek relaties USA-Belgium: United States Relations with Belgium and the Congo, 1940–1960

Jonathan E. Helmreich. United States Relations with Belgium and the Congo, 1940–1960. Newark: University of Delaware Press. Associated University Presses, London. 1998. Pp. 289. $43.50.

Although my own interest in this particular study stems more from concern for politics in the Congo than from any sustained involvement in bilateral diplomacy between the United States and Belgium, I nevertheless discovered here much useful background information. Jonathan E. Helmreich's work is a study of the high-level bilateral diplomatic negotiations between the two states during the twenty years between 1940 and 1960. Unfortunately, however, this diplomatic focus does not provide readers with a broadly based study of political, cultural, and economic interactions between the United States and Belgium. At its best, this is a competent diplomatic history; at worst, it is a frustrating exercise that confronts readers with some of the limitations of classic diplomatic history.



http://www.historycooperative.org/cgi-bin/justtop.cgi?act=justtop&url=http://www.historycoop.org/journals/ahr/104.5/br_15.html

UNITED STATES RELATIONS WITH BELGIUM AND THE CONGO, 1940–1960, Jonathan E. Helmreich. This comprehensive study of United States-Belgo diplomatic ties focuses on the small power-superpower relationship and the Congo's effect upon it. Consideration is given to the U.S. purchase of Congolese uranium and the fairness of the compensation paid, Belgium's assistance to U.S. efforts to encourage European integration, and the coming of independence in the Congo. Belgium's participation in NATO, trade of Congo goods, and American policy toward UN action in the Congo are also discussed.

653-9 $43.50

http://www.english.udel.edu/udpress/catalog_stoz.html