Though the EDC treaty was signed (May 1952), it never entered into force. France's Gaullists rejected it on the grounds that it threatened national sovereignty, and when the French National Assembly refused to ratify it (August 1954), the treaty died. The French Gaullists and communists had killed the French government's proposal. Then other means had to be found to allow West German rearmament. In response, at the London and Paris Conferences, the Brussels Treaty was modified to include West Germany, and to form the Western European Union (WEU). West Germany was to be permitted to rearm (an idea many Germans rejected), and have full sovereign control of its military, called the . The WEU, however, would regulate the size of the armed forces permitted to each of its member states. Also, the German constitution prohibited any military action, except in the case of an external attack against Germany or its allies (). Also, Germans could reject military service on grounds of conscience, and serve for civil purposes instead.John A. Reed Jr, Germany and NATO (National Defense University, 1987) Online.
Though the EDC treaty was signed (May 1952) it never entered into force France's Gaullists rejected it on the grounds that it threatened national sovereignty and when the French National Assembly refused to ratify it (August 1954) the treaty died The French Gaullists and communists had killed the French government's proposal Then other means had to be found to allow West German rearmament In response at the London and Paris Conferences the Brussels Treaty was modified to include West Germany and to form the Western European Union (WEU) West Germany was to be permitted to rearm (an idea many Germans rejected) and have full sovereign control of its military called the  The WEU however would regulate the size of the armed forces permitted to each of its member states Also the German constitution prohibited any military action except in the case of an external attack against Germany or its allies () Also Germans could reject military service on grounds of conscience and serve for civil purposes insteadJohn A Reed Jr Germany and NATO (National Defense University 1987) Online