On I8 March i890, Count von Bismarck tendered his resignation to Kaiser Wilhelm II of the Germans. It was as important for Europe when, a hundred years later on the same day, the East German population resigned as the East German people and voted to dissolve their own state and unify with their Western neighbour. The choices of individuals all over East Germany sent shockwaves through the European security system. First to feel the shock, paradoxically, were Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his West German government, though they were committed to the aim of German unity. At first Kohl tried to put the brakes on unification (but also to steer the runaway car), fearing that it would lead to a foreign policy breakdown for Bonn, a return to the postwar Allied regime of I945. In November and December, he tried to keep the speed low to prevent German processes running too far ahead of European ones. But by February I990, international opposition was suddenly overcome. The scene was ready for German unity. Monetary union between West and East was pushed forward and so was general speculation about the road to unity. Once the East German elections were over, Bonn could set a steady course for unity. This pattern we know a fixed speed, a burst of acceleration and then a return to the original speed. It is known as overtaking. We have been watching an overtaking on the autobahn to German unity. Who was overtaken? The French and the Russians, and their ability to set the speed limit. From that point on, German energy was displaced to the European level. The main problem has been how to build Europe in time for Germany. Soon a clear pattern was emerging. While the Germans are clearly getting the version of 'Europe' that they want with unity and with space for economic and cultural expansion into East-Central Europe-the collective endeavour of European