European Confederation

European Confederation (German: Europäischer Staatenbund) was a political institution of European unity, part of a wider New Order, proposed by German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop in March 1943. The plan was rejected by Führer Adolf Hitler.

Some historians have argued that the concept was primarily a propaganda tool, others that there was genuine enthusiasm for European unity among Nazi and Fascist political leaders and intellectuals, as the references to this concept were made in secret government memoranda and conversations.

Certain individuals of the German Foreign Ministry were interested in the "European question", and collaborated with the Auslandswissenschaftliches Institut (DAWI; German Institute for Foreign Studies) on securing a decision on the matter. Influential Europe planners were , Franz Six and , who presented papers and studies on the intellectual foundations of a united Europe under Nazi German leadership.

After a number of preliminary studies and drafts a memorandum was submitted in March 1943, which outlined the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to formalize the Confederation. On April 5, 1943, Ribbentrop issued instructions for the establishment of a "European Committee" (German: Europa-Ausschuß) of 14 diplomats in the Foreign Ministry, which had the task of "the collection of material and the preparation of data to be used for the future settlement of the New European Order after the war has ended."

Ribbentrop envisioned that as soon as Germany had gained significant military victory, the Heads of States concerned would be invited to a safe meeting-place (away from the reach of Allied bombers) such as Salzburg (perhaps at Klessheim Palace) or Vienna, where the instrument for bringing the Confederation into being would be solemnly signed. The states in question were Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Greece. Spain's participation was anticipated but uncertain in the view of the Spanish neutrality during World War II. The March 1943 memorandum states that if any other states were established in territories currently occupied by Germany, these too would be invited to join. Sweden, Switzerland and Portugal were not expected to join as long as the war continued, but their membership was not seen as being of great importance.

...
Wikipedia