'A question of survival': Canada and the Rapacki Plan for the denuclearisation of Central Europe, 1957–59. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Musto, Ryan A.
• Is Part Of: Cold War history. Volume 21:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 509
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Canada -- Poland -- Rapacki Plan -- nuclear weapons -- denuclearisation; Cold War -- Periodicals; World politics -- 1945- -- Periodicals; 940.55
• DOI: 10.1080/14682745.2021.1873278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-2745

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In October 1957, Poland proposed the Rapacki Plan for the denuclearisation of Central Europe. While North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members attacked the initiative, Canada viewed it as a means to ease Cold War tensions. Although Canada joined with its allies to reject the Plan, it embarked on a quest for counterproposals to restrain NATO nuclear sharing and reduce the chances of nuclear war. Canada's efforts alarmed Western allies and helped lead to a second Rapacki Plan. Overall, this article details Canada's struggle to assert itself as a middle power and provides a robust example of Western interest in the Rapacki Plan.