European integration from "summary" of Iron Curtain by Anne Applebaum
The idea of European integration was based on a simple concept: the more European nations cooperated, the less likely they would be to go to war with one another. The Schuman Plan, proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950, aimed to create a coal and steel community that would integrate the economies of France and Germany. By intertwining their industries, the two countries would become economically interdependent, making war between them less feasible.
The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed in 1951, with six countries signing the Treaty of Paris. Over time, the ECSC evolved into the European Economic Community (EEC), creating a single market for goods and services. This economic integration was seen as a way to promote peace and stability in Europe, as countries that traded with one another were less likely to engage in conflict.
The signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957 laid the foundation for further European integration, with the establishment of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Community (EC). The goal was to create a common market and eventually a political union, where countries would share sovereignty and decision-making powers.
The process of European integration was not without challenges. National interests often clashed with the goal of greater European unity, and debates over issues such as agricultural policy and budget contributions could be contentious. However, the belief in the benefits of integration, including economic growth and stability, kept the project moving forward.
By the 1980s, the Single European Act was signed, aiming to remove barriers to trade and create a single European market. The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 further deepened integration, leading to the creation of the European Union (EU) and the adoption of a common currency, the euro.
Despite setbacks and crises, such as the rejection of the European Constitution in referendums and the challenges of managing a diverse group of member states, the process of European integration has continued. The belief in the importance of cooperation and unity in Europe has persisted, even in the face of political and economic challenges.
