Ch31: European Integration

• Reasons for European integration/unification:

  • War - it destroyed Europe and killed millions in both wars. By co-operating, countries could unite peacefully and prevent future conflict.
  • Cold War - the 3 leaders believed that Europe as one could compete against the global superpowers; the US and USSR. Europe and the US could work together to promote containment.
  • Economics - increased trade and co-operation between European states would boost their economies and improve the standard of living for citizens.
  • American support - the US wanted an ally for trade that was against communism.
• Leaders:

  • Konrad Adenauer; Minister of Foreign Affairs + Chancellor - West Germany
  • Robert Schuman; Minister of Foreign Affairs - France
  • Alcide De Gasperi; Minister of Foreign Affairs + Prime Minister - Italy
• Steps Toward European Integration; 1947 Benelux Agreement:

  • In 1947, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg removed all tariffs on trade between them. This was known as the Benelux union.
  • By 1957, trade among the three tripled.
• Steps Toward European Integration; the OEEC in 1948:

  • OEEC - the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation
  • Setup in 1948 to administer the 'Marshall Plan' funds across Europe, to recover from WW2
  • It proved the advantages of economic integration to generate economic growth and increase living standards
• Steps Toward European Integration; 1949 Council of Europe:

  • In 1948, leaders of Western European states met at the Hague Congress. The year after, they set up the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
  • The Council had ten states and promoted common ideals, values and European unity
• Steps Toward European Integration; 1949 NATO:

  • NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
  • Formed by the US, Canada, and ten European states as a military alliance against the Soviet Union
• Steps Toward European Integration; 1952 ECSC:

  • ECSC - European Coal and Steel Community
  • By 1950, there was a fear in France that Germany would be too powerful in Europe
  • Schuman, in order to minimise this fear and potential threat, introduced the Schuman Plan
  • Schuman put together the coal and steel industries of France and Germany under a High Authority.
  • Coal and steel industries were essential for military production; by uniting the opposing countries, war would be "materially impossible"
  • The Schuman Plan led to the Treaty of Paris in 1951, signed by West Germany, France, Italy and Benelux
• The EEC (European Economic Community):

  • Members of the ECSC signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957
  • The EEC came into existence on 1 January 1958
  • It aimed to promote economic activity, to raise living standards and to unify the people of Europe together
  • The EEC today is made of many bodies such as the Council of Ministers, the Court of Justice, etc
• How Ireland benefitted from European Integration:

  • Increased market of 510m consumers
  • Unrestricted movement of European passport holders
  • Ireland received €74.3b in funding, for national infrastructure
  • The EU helped bring peace and stability to Northern Ireland
  • EU laws such as equal pay, employee rights and consumer safety apply to Ireland, benefitting the average person