The Origins of European Integration, PART 2 | EU History Explained Episode 2

Summary

In this episode of EU History Explained, we explore the early stages of European integration. After the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, Europe sought both political and military cooperation, with the latter leading to NATO. A failed attempt to create a European Defence Community and a European Political Community marked setbacks, but Europe continued its path toward closer union. The signing of the Rome Treaties in 1957 established the European Economic Community and Euratom, paving the way for the future European Union. This episode highlights the pivotal moments that shaped Europe’s journey toward integration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The European Union's origins lie in multiple integration tracks, including political, economic, and military cooperation.
• 😀 The Council of Europe and the European Coal and Steel Community were early efforts at European integration, with a focus on economic cooperation.
• 😀 The Cold War context, particularly the Korean War, intensified the need for military cooperation and rearmament of Germany.
• 😀 France initially opposed the rearmament of Germany, proposing the European Defence Community (EDC) to integrate Germany into a European defense framework.
• 😀 The European Defence Community, despite initial support, failed to materialize due to opposition in France and shifting international dynamics.
• 😀 The failure of the European Defence Community led to the collapse of the European Political Community project, which aimed at creating a federal political union.
• 😀 Despite setbacks, the idea of an 'ever closer union' persisted, with Jean Monnet advocating for extending cooperation to other sectors like nuclear energy.
• 😀 In 1955, the Benelux countries called for a conference to discuss creating a common European market, leading to the establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom in 1957.
• 😀 The EEC focused on creating a common market with a shared external tariff, common agricultural policy, and free movement of goods, services, and capital.
• 😀 The creation of the European Economic Community marked a shift towards more intergovernmental decision-making, with the Council of Ministers holding significant power.
• 😀 The success of the European Economic Community laid the foundation for the European Union, reinforcing the idea that sectoral cooperation could drive European integration.

Q & A

What were the two main tracks of European integration in the early years?

The two main tracks were political integration, leading to the creation of the Council of Europe, and economic integration, leading to the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community.

How did military cooperation play a role in early European integration?

Initially, military cooperation in Europe was mainly in the form of a military alliance, starting among Western European countries and later including the United States, which became NATO.

What was the significance of the Korean War in the context of European defense?

The Korean War raised concerns in the West, as it mirrored the division of Germany. This led to the United States pushing for the rearmament of Germany, a proposal strongly opposed by France.

What was the French proposal for the rearmament of Germany?

In response to the threat posed by Germany's rearmament, French Prime Minister René Pleven proposed the creation of a European Defence Community, effectively a European army.

Why did the European Defence Community ultimately fail?

The European Defence Community failed primarily due to a change in U.S. administration, lessening the urgency for European defense, as well as internal opposition in France. In 1954, the French Assembly failed to ratify the treaty.

What happened to the European Political Community project after the failure of the European Defence Community?

The failure of the European Defence Community also led to the collapse of the European Political Community project, which aimed to create a political union for Europe.

How did Jean Monnet view the future of European integration after these setbacks?

Jean Monnet believed that despite the failures, the success of the European Coal and Steel Community could be extended to other sectors, such as nuclear energy, to further the cause of European integration.

What was the role of the Messina Conference in European integration?

The Messina Conference of 1955 was convened to discuss the creation of a common market and further integration. It resulted in the establishment of two new communities: the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).

What were the main differences between the European Economic Community and Euratom?

Euratom focused solely on the civil applications of nuclear energy, aiming to foster joint development of Europe's nuclear industries. In contrast, the European Economic Community sought to create a common market, including common tariffs and policies for agriculture and the free movement of goods, people, and capital.

How did the institutions of the European Economic Community differ from the previous European integration models?

The European Economic Community established a new governance structure, with a Commission, a Council of Ministers, a Parliament, and a Court of Justice. This model emphasized intergovernmental decision-making while also incorporating supranational elements such as the Commission and the Parliament.