EUROPEAN UNION
The creation of the European Union evolved from circumstances that covered years of crises. Over the years, Europe was involved in numerous wars. From the years 1870 to 1945, France and Germany fought each other numerous times, which resulted in a great loss of life during these battles. These countries suffered tremendously during and after each war. The European leaders knew something needed to be done in order to save what was left of Europe before it was destroyed beyond repair. The leaders of Europe were frustrated and unsure which direction to turn to save their countries. It was imperative that they pull together and join forces to rebuild and secure peace between their countries. To survive they would have to unite economically and politically.
It was in 1950 when the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The European Coal and Steel Community resulted from this integration in 1951. Its membership consisted of six members from Belgium, West Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. The power to make decisions about the coal and steel industry, in these countries, were placed in the hands of an independent, supranational body called the "High Authority".
The European Coal and Steel Community became very successful and within a few years it was decided to further integrate other sectors of their economies. The "Treaties of Rome" was issued and signed in 1957, which created the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community. The member states involved focused on the removal of trade barriers and the formation of a "common market". The institutions ...