ABSTRACT
Germany's role in the movement toward a united Europe has been crucial. Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Germany had led the way toward a type of normalization of relations with Eastern European countries while at the same time remaining absolutely committed to Western European integration. The West German vision was of a Europe that would not require individual countries to abandon their unique traditions and histories but to maintain that more can be accomplished by joining together for mutual benefit and interest. When the Soviet block began to unravel, West Germany's role was also critical. Emphasis has been placed on the mistakes West Germany made in the unification process. It insisted that "Eastern Europe's nations can develop toward democracy and well-being without violent discontinuities". With regard to the European Community, Germany has pulled for a stronger integration, but it has held to a new type of federalism with the countries of the European Community.
