History of European integration (1948–1957)

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The year 1948 marked the beginning of the institutionalised modern

Treaty of Rome (1957)
.

Beginnings of cooperation

With the start of the

one composed of governments, the other of national members of parliament. Based in Strasbourg, it is an organisation dealing with democracy and human rights issues (today covering nearly every European state).[5]

In the same year as the Brussels treaty, Sweden planned for a Scandinavian defence union (of Sweden, Denmark and Norway) which would be neutral in regards to the proposed NATO. However, due to pressure from the United States, Norway and Denmark joined NATO and the plans collapsed. A "Scandinavian joint committee for economic cooperation" was established which led to a customs union under the Nordic Council which held its first meeting in 1953.[6] Similar economic activity was taking place between the Benelux countries. The Benelux Customs Union became operative between Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. During the war, the three governments in exile signed a customs convention between their countries. This followed a monetary agreement which fixed their currencies against each other. This integration would lead to an economic union and the countries cooperating in foreign affairs as the union was created out of a desire to strengthen their position as small states. However the Benelux became a precursor and provided ground for later European integration.[7]

Schuman Declaration and the Treaty of Paris (1951)

Main article: European Coal and Steel Community
Founding members of the Community in 1952

Following the Second World War, French government policy aimed to assure disarmament and demilitarization of Germany. The Ruhr region of Germany was a focus as it has historically been key to the country's industrial strength, due to its rich supply of coal and coke which attracted the steel industry, essential for the production of munitions.[8]: 346  Initially, France proposed that an international regime control the production and export of coal and steel in the Ruhr.[9]

The start of the cold war changed the context of French policy toward Germany. Further, the U.S.

Allied Occupation Zones in Germany would have three votes for its representatives, as soon as it formed a government recognized by the Allies. Following the Petersberg Agreement, that role came to be held by West Germany.[11][12]: 142  The Statute for the IAR was signed and came into effect on April 28, 1949.[13]

In May 1950, the

Etienne Hirsch), at the Quai d'Orsay.[15] He proposed that: "Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organisation open to the participation of the other countries of Europe." Such an act was intended to help economic growth and cement peace between France and Germany, who had previously been longtime enemies. Coal and steel were particular symbolic as they were the resources necessary to wage war. It would also be a first step to a "European federation".[16][17][18]

By the signature of this Treaty, the participating Parties give proof of their determination to create the first supranational institution and that thus they are laying the true foundation of an organised Europe. This Europe remains open to all nations. We profoundly hope that other nations will join us in our common endeavour.

— Europe Declaration signed on 18 April 1951 at the Treaty of Paris by Konrad Adenauer (West Germany), Paul van Zeeland, Joseph Meurice (Belgium) Robert Schuman (France) Count Sforza (Italy) Joseph Bech (Luxembourg) and Dirk Stikker, J. R. M. van den Brink (The Netherlands).[19]

The declaration led to the

inner six": France, Italy, the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) together with West Germany. The United Kingdom refused to participate due to a rejection of supranational authority.[20][21] The Treaty sidestepped the issue of the status of the Saar protectorate. A protocol was attached to the Treaty in the form of an exchange of letters between German Chancellor Adenauer and French Minister of Foreign Affairs Schuman, stating they agreed the Treaty would have no bearing on their views of the status of the Saar.[22] The Treaty was ratified by the middle of 1952, and the European Coal and Steel Community agreement entered into force on 23 July 1952.[23] Agreement to terminate the IAR came into force on 25 June 1952.[24][8]: 357  The common market was opened on 10 February 1953 for coal, and on 1 May 1953 for steel.[25]

During the existence of the ECSC, steel production would improve and increase fourfold.[citation needed] Coal production however would decline[citation needed] but its technology, safety and environmental quality would improve. ECSC helped deal with crises in the industry and ensured balanced development and distribution of resources.[citation needed] However the treaty, unlike its successors, was designed to expire after 50 years.[26]

In 1954 by the Treaty of Brussels was transformed by the

Modified Brussels Treaty which created the Western European Union which would take on European defence and be merged into the EU in later decades.[27] transformed the Western Union into the Western European Union (WEU). West Germany eventually joined in 1955 both WEU and NATO, prompting the Soviet Union to form the Warsaw Pact in 1955 as an institutional framework for its military dominatin in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
.

First community

Further information: European Coal and Steel Community § Institutions

With the Treaty of Paris, the European Coal and Steel Community was created. At its centre was the High Authority (the forerunner to today's European Commission), which served as the Community's executive. The first president was Jean Monnet. The President was elected by the eight other members. The nine members were appointed by the member states (two for France, Italy and West Germany, one for Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). They were expected to not represent their member states, but rather the common interest.[25]

The member states' governments were represented by the Council of Ministers, the Presidency of which rotated between each state every three months in alphabetical order.[25] It was added at the request of smaller states, fearing undue influence from the High Authority.[28] Its task was to harmonise the work of national governments with the acts of the High Authority, as well as issue opinions on the work of the Authority when needed.[25] Hence, unlike the modern Council, this body had limited powers as issues relating only to coal and steel were in the Authority's domain, whereas the Council only had to give its consent to decisions outside coal and steel. As a whole, it only scrutinised and advised the executive which was independent.[28]

The Common Assembly, what is now the

Treaties of Rome and no election until 1979. However, to emphasise that the chamber was not to be that of a traditional international organisation, whereby it would be composed of representatives of national governments, the Treaty of Paris used the term "representatives of the peoples".[25] The Assembly was not originally mentioned in the Schuman Declaration but put forward by Jean Monnet on the second day of treaty negotiations. It was still hoped that the Assembly of the Council of Europe would be the active body and the supranational Community would be inserted inside as one of the Council's institutions. The assembly was intended as a democratic counter-weight and check to the High Authority. It had formal powers to sack the High Authority, following investigation of abuse.[20][29]

The Court of Justice was to ensure the observation of ECSC law along with the interpretation and application of the Treaty. The Court was composed of seven judges, appointed by common accord of the national governments for six years. There were no requirements that the judges had to be of a certain nationality, simply that they be qualified and that their independence be beyond doubt. The Court was assisted by two Advocates General.[25]

Finally, there was a

lobbyists
acting to influence governments on such policy. The Consultative Committee had an important action in controlling the budget and expenditures, drawn from the first European tax on coal and steel producers. The Community money was spent on re-employment and social housing activities within the sectors concerned.

Members were appointed for two years and were not bound by any mandate or instruction of the organisations which appointed them. The Committee had a plenary assembly, bureau and a president. The High Authority was obliged to consult the committee in certain cases where it was appropriate and to keep it informed.[25]

Provisional seats

Further information:
Location of European Union institutions § Beginning

The Treaty made no decision on

dispute over Saarland made it a problematic choice.[31] Brussels would have been accepted at the time, but divisions within the then-unstable Belgian government ruled that option out.[32]

To break the deadlock,

Prime Minister of Luxembourg, proposed that Luxembourg be made the provisional seat of the institutions until a permanent agreement was reached.[31] However, it was decided that the Common Assembly (the forerunner to the European Parliament), should instead be based in Strasbourg[30]—the Council of Europe (CoE) was already based there, in the House of Europe. The chamber of the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly could also serve the Common Assembly, and it did so until 1999, when a new complex of buildings was built across the river from the Palace.[33]

Development of new Communities

The Council of Europe adopted a flag to symbolise Europe

Following on the heels of the creation of the ECSC, the

European army.[35] In 1955, the Council of Europe adopted an emblem for all Europe, twelve golden stars in a circle upon a blue field. It would later be adopted by the European Communities.[36]

In 1956, the

French President Charles de Gaulle stating he would veto British entry out of a fear it would lead to US domination.[37]

As a result of the crisis, the Common Assembly proposed extending the powers of the ECSC to cover other sources of energy. Louis Armand was put in charge of a study into the prospects of nuclear energy use in Europe. The report concluded further nuclear development was needed to fill the deficit left by the exhaustion of coal deposits and to reduce dependence on oil producers. However the Benelux states and Germany were also keen on creating a general common market, although it was opposed by France. In the end, both were created, as separate communities.[38]

As a result of the Messina Conference of 1955, Paul-Henri Spaak was appointed as chairman of a preparatory committee (Spaak Committee) charged with the preparation of a report on the creation of a common European market.

The

European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The latter body fostered co-operation in the nuclear field, at the time a very popular area, and the EEC was to create a full customs union between members. Louis Armand became the first President of Euratom Commission and Walter Hallstein became the first President of the EEC Commission.[40][41][42][43][44]

See also

Wikisource has original treaties and speeches related to this article

References

Source of majority of the dates: A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation
  1. ^ Western Union, CVCE
  2. ^ NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization CVCE
  3. ISBN 978-90-804983-1-0. Archived from the original
    on 28 December 2016.
  4. ^ The Congress of Europe in The Hague (7–10 May 1948) – Introduction. CVCE
  5. ^ The Council of Europe CVCE
  6. ^ The plan for a Nordic customs union and common market, CVCE
  7. ^ Benelux, CVCE
  8. ^
    doi:10.1017/S0034670500014261
    .
  9. ^ a b "The Ruhr Agreement". The New York Times. 29 December 1948. p. 20.
  10. ^ Amos Yoder, "The Ruhr Authority and the German Problem", The Review of Politics, Vol. 17, No. 3 (Jul., 1955), pp. 345–358
  11. ^ Daniel, Clifton (29 December 1948). "Russia is Ignored: Agreement to Continue for Indefinite Period – French Win Points; German will have seat; Cooperation in Europe Viewed as a Basic Aim of Plan – Ratification Expected; Authority Set Up To Control Ruhr". New York Times. p. 1.
  12. JSTOR 2213981
    .
  13. ^ US High Commissioner for Germany Office of Public Affairs, Public Relations Division (January 1952). "Plans for Terminating the International Authority for the Ruhr". Information bulletin. pp. 61–62.
  14. ^ Encyclopaedia Britannica (21 May 2021). "Schuman Plan".
  15. ^ "Schuman Project". schuman.info. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  16. ^ The Declaration of 9 May 1950 CVCE
  17. CVCE
    . Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  18. ^ Is Europe a federal or a supranational union? | http://www.schuman.info/fed.htm
  19. ^ Schuman or Monnet? The real Architect of Europe. p 129. Bron 2004
  20. ^ a b "General view of the Commission on the forthcoming multilateral trade negotiations (Luxembourg, 4 April 1973)". cvce.eu. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  21. ^ The beginning of the negotiations CVCE
  22. ^ "Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, ECSC Treaty".
  23. ^ European Parliament. "Treaty of Paris: About Parliament".
  24. ^ United Nations. "Statement of Treaties and International Agreements Registered or filed and recorded with the Secretariat during June 1959" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 September 2015.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g "The Treaties establishing the European Communities". CVCE. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, the ECSC Treaty". europa.eu. Europa (web portal). Archived from the original on 13 December 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  27. ^ Western European Union, CVCE – Historical events in the European integration process (1945–2009)
  28. ^ a b "Council of the European Union". CVCE. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Schuman Project". www.schuman.info. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  30. ^ a b "The seats of the institutions of the European Union". CVCE. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  31. ^ a b "Seat of the European Commission". CVCE. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  32. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
    . 2007.
  33. ^ "Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament". Tribune pour l'Europe on CVCE. 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  34. ^ The European Defence Community CVCE
  35. ^ The European Political Community cvce.eu
  36. ^ European flag – questions and answers CVCE – The symbols of the European Union
  37. ^ "France's own lesson from Suez". BBC News. 1 November 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  38. ^ 1957–1968 Successes and crises CVCE – Historical events in the European integration process (1945–2009)
  39. ^ Paul-Henri., Spaak (18 April 2018). "Intergovernmental Committee on European Integration. The Brussels Report on the General Common Market (abridged, English translation of document commonly called the Spaak Report) [June 1956]". aei.pitt.edu. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  40. ^ A European Atomic Energy Community CVCE
  41. ^ A European Customs Union cvce.eu
  42. ^ The signing of the Rome Treaties CVCE
  43. CVCE
    (European NAvigator)
  44. ^ Presidents of the European Commission CVCE
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