Question 4

Analyse the origins of the European Economic Community

Paragraph One

• Precedents for European consciousness in:
  • Roman Empire, Charlemagne, Christendom versus Islam (Saracens and Turks)
  • Concert of Europe 19^th century
• Rise of rivalry since 16^th century:
  • Reformation
  • Growth of national identity
  • French and Russian Revolutions created ideological divisions
• Ditto Fascism
• Economic factors include:
  • Industrial revolution and railways caused huge increase in intra-European trade
  • A customs union could promote economic growth and political unity e.g. German Zollverein
  • The European movement wanted to surrender more and more national sovereignty to pan-European institutions

Paragraph Two

• Specific circumstances after 1945:
  • European movement strengthened by WWII
  • Some statesmen most concerned in exile during war (Adenauer, Schuman, Monnet) and wartime resistance
• Pan-European movement helped by circumstances:
  • US economic power immense
  • Communist parties of Eastern Europe backed by Red Army
  • Increasing hostility to colonial powers outside Europe
• To continue internal political/economic rivalries seemed silly

Paragraph Three

• Resentment towards Germany from occupied countries
• The timing of unification can be seen in GB/US rehabilitation of West Germany in Cold War –
  • recovery under Marshall Aid
  • need to strengthen defences of West against Soviets
• British and US forces stationed in Germany reassured France
• 1950 acceptance of Schuman Plan (for European Coal & Steel Community) was vital breakthrough

Paragraph Four

• European advocates in governments of the ‘six’ were looking for a new way forward after the failure of European Defence Community
• They broadened cooperation in the ECSC to other industries
• Economic motives now more important than political ones
• Agreement boosted by surge in Cold War (Hungary and Sputnik)
• Advocates believed that removal barriers would enhance economic stability and growth
• Germany wanted larger markets

Conclusion

• ECSC made EEC possible (a solution to problems of German recovery)
• EEC also helped by economic growth (which it accelerated) and by the European movement