POLI 212 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Robert Schuman, Messina Conference, European Parliament
17 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
POLI 212 - Lecture 16
03/26/2018
Topic 7: European Integration
● What is the European Union?
○ A “state”? A supranational entity? A collection of states?
○ What powers does it have?
○ How is it similar to a state? How is it not?
● Birth of the ECSC
○ European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
○ Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman
○ Germany needed to rebuild/re-industrialize after WWII
■ But should be tied to the greater process of European reconstruction
○ Join ownership of coal and steel industries would help France and Germany
overcome their distrust of each other
○ Supranational idea that may lead to European federation
■ Help from the US in the form of the Marshall Plan
● “In championing the cause of a united Europe for over 20 years, France’s main goal has
always been to secure peace. Europe did not unite - and so we had war. And now
European integration will not happen overnight, nor in a single guise. It will be built
through concrete achievements, that first create solidarity on the ground. To this end, the
French government intends to place the entire Franco-German production of coal and
steel under a common High Authority.”
● Birth of the ECSC cont.
○ 1951: Treaty of Paris is signed
■ Six founding members: France, (West) Germany, Italy, Belgium,
Netherlands, and Luxembourg
○ Foundation of European institutions is laid
■ Managed by a High Authority
■ Decisions made by the Special Council of Ministers
■ Appointed Common Assembly
■ Court of Justice
○ Big step, but ultimately little power
○ In the early days there was talk of a common European defense policy
○ Reviving European integration through a common market
○ Messina Conference in 1955
■ “ … work for the establishment of a united Europe by the development of
common institutions, the progressive fusion of national economies, the
creation of a common market, and the progressive harmonization of their
social policies.”
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
But should be tied to the greater process of european reconstruction. Join ownership of coal and steel industries would help france and germany overcome their distrust of each other. Supranational idea that may lead to european federation. Help from the us in the form of the marshall plan. In championing the cause of a united europe for over 20 years, france"s main goal has always been to secure peace. Europe did not unite - and so we had war. European integration will not happen overnight, nor in a single guise. It will be built through concrete achievements, that first create solidarity on the ground. French government intends to place the entire franco-german production of coal and steel under a common high authority. Six founding members: france, (west) germany, italy, belgium, Decisions made by the special council of ministers. In the early days there was talk of a common european defense policy. Reviving european integration through a common market.
