Abstract
The Saar region did not immediately become part of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, but was gradually given the status of a semi-protectorate of France from 1947 onwards. The region's high-quality coal and the iron and steel industries were supposed both to help the reconstruction of France and to weaken German industry by being withdrawn of its control. The region was economically and politically closely tied to France; freedom of opinion and of the press for those who advocated annexation to the FRG were restricted. This happened at the same time when Franco- German reconciliation and the beginning of European integration were seen as a sign of a settlement between Germany and France. The Saar issue thus became a regional problem for European integration. In the absence of political opposition, the trade unions of the Saarland became the voice of the critical population and became victims of state persecution. The article highlights the role of the Saarland, German and international trade unions, which therefore proved to be important mediators in the conflict over the future of the Saar region.
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