This article analyzes the history of European integration from
the end of the Second World War until today. It focuses on
the different enlargement steps and explains why the progressive
enlargement of the European community can be understood as a
mechanism with challenges and responses to internal and external
developments. From this point of view the text has a closer view
on the reasons why specific countries decided to surrender a part
of its national sovereignty to a supranational institution within
the last sixty years.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The European Coal and Steal Community
The Treaty of Rome and the European Economic Community
Great Britain
Mediterranean enlargement
The collapse of the Soviet Union and its effects for European Integration
The German question
Neutral states join
Eastern enlargement
Perspectives
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the historical evolution of European integration from the end of the Second World War to the modern era, specifically examining the enlargement process as a strategic response to internal and external geopolitical developments and the surrender of national sovereignty to supranational institutions.
- The transition from the initial six member states to the EU 27.
- The influence of Cold War dynamics and the German question on integration.
- Economic integration strategies, including the ECSC, EEC, and the transition to the EMU.
- The challenges and motivations behind successive enlargement waves, including Mediterranean and Eastern expansions.
Excerpt from the Book
The European Coal and Steal Community
When Congress in Washington discussed about the reconstruction of Europe, Morgenthau presented the concept of an agricultural state in Germany 2. Nevertheless the ERP and the Marshall Plan were a decision to reconstruct Europe and treat Germany as a trade partner by putting it into an international framework. Germany was included into the plan to strengthen economic development that was necessary for European recovery. This decision was also based on geopolitical considerations because it was a strong economic and political argument to contain communism at the beginning of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, President Truman thought about transnational trade facilitated by cheap loans and financial support in the framework of the ERP. This program should reduce the deficit in the trade balance between Europe and the US caused by the massive European imports of food and resources from the States. One essential element of the ERP was that European countries should work together within the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) 3 and the European Payments Union (EPU) to coordinate and manage the American aid.
As a consequence in particular France thought about how to control Germany and hold it down. Schuman presented a plan about how France could control coal and steel resources and production in Germany and at the same time enable growth in France. Since there was an acute shortage in coal after the Second World War France wanted to gain access to the German resources. He proposed the creation of a common market in coal and steel and pool sovereignty under a supranational authority 4. The long- term aim of this institution was to gradually eliminate all tariffs in these heavy industries. This was the birth of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on the 9 May 1950. Over the last sixty years it became obvious that these two countries had often formed the Franco- German engine at the heart of European Integration 5.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a historical overview of post-war Europe and the impetus for creating international organizations to ensure peace and economic stability.
The European Coal and Steal Community: Details the formation of the ECSC as a mechanism to manage German resources and foster Franco-German reconciliation.
The Treaty of Rome and the European Economic Community: Discusses the establishment of the EEC and the strategic interests of member states, including Germany, France, and Italy.
Great Britain: Analyzes the United Kingdom's initial skepticism toward supranational integration and its focus on the EFTA approach.
Mediterranean enlargement: Explores the integration of Greece, Spain, and Portugal as a means to stabilize new democracies and expand market access during the 1980s.
The collapse of the Soviet Union and its effects for European Integration: Examines the geopolitical shifts caused by the end of the Cold War and the new possibilities for expansion.
The German question: Addresses the concerns regarding German reunification and the subsequent embedding of a united Germany within the European Monetary Union.
Neutral states join: Describes the accession of Austria, Finland, and Sweden following the shift in the European security landscape.
Eastern enlargement: Covers the institutional reforms and challenges associated with the 2005 expansion to include ten new member states.
Perspectives: Reviews future challenges for the EU, including constitutional reforms, common defense policies, and potential future accessions like Turkey and Croatia.
Keywords
European Integration, Enlargement, Supranationalism, European Economic Community, ECSC, Marshall Plan, Cold War, German Question, Monetary Union, Sovereignty, Franco-German Relations, Geopolitics, European Union, Maastricht Treaty, Economic Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this publication?
The work examines the history of European integration from post-World War II to 2011, detailing the development from the original six member states to the EU 27.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include economic policy, the evolution of supranational institutions, geopolitical strategies during the Cold War, and the motivations behind various enlargement waves.
What is the main research objective?
The author aims to explain how progressive enlargement functions as a response to internal and external developments and why nations have chosen to surrender sovereignty to supranational entities.
Which methodology does the author apply?
The paper utilizes a historical-political analysis, tracing key treaties, economic programs, and diplomatic decisions that shaped the modern European Union.
What does the main body address?
It provides a chronological account of the ECSC, the EEC, the role of Great Britain, the Mediterranean and Eastern enlargements, and the impact of the German reunification.
Which keywords define this work?
Core keywords include European Integration, Supranationalism, Geopolitics, Monetary Union, and European Enlargement.
Why did France initially push for the European Coal and Steel Community?
France sought a method to gain access to German coal and steel resources while simultaneously controlling German industrial production to prevent future conflicts.
How did the German Question influence the formation of the Euro?
The prospect of German reunification caused concern in France, leading to the push for a common currency (EMU) as a framework to integrate and contain German economic power.
- Quote paper
- Moritz Meyer (Author), 2006, The Transformation from the Six into the EU 27, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/182548
