Question 5

Why was it possible to form the European Economic Community but not a European Defence Community?

Paragraph One

• Time not right in early 50s to pool sovereignty in Western Europe
• No West German state before this time
• Bitter memories of war
• Late 50s reassertion of national consciousness e.g. France under De Gaulle
• 1950 French initiatives:
  • Schuman Plan led to European Coal and Steel Community and later to EEC
  • Pleven Plan for European Defence Community (failed) – defence closer to national sovereignty

Paragraph Two

• These French plans were attempts to offset the dangers of German recovery:
  • Economic: ECSC to secure supplies of German coking coal and to keep international control over the Ruhr
  • Military: EDC an alternative to US plan to create West German armed forces by setting up a European force with German units in it and a multinational command
• EDC treaty signed 1952 but defeated 1954 by French Parliament

Paragraph Three

• Reasons for rejection of treaty:
  • French premier Mendes-France lukewarm
  • Stalin died 1953 – reduced tension
  • Great Britain reluctant to participate
• October 1954 Paris accords provided for a West German army to be balanced by Great Britain’s commitment to station an army on the continent indefinitely
• This settlement of defence matters made further integration easier

Paragraph Four

• ECSC ‘six’ accepted principle of EEC at Messina (June 1955) 4 reasons for success of this:
  • The project was presented as a broadening of ECSC not leading on to political unity and thus infringing on national sovereignty
  • The Hungarian Revolt (1956) revived the Cold War
  • Great Britain’s absence less serious than for EDC – negotiations simpler too
  • Struck successful balance between French interests and German need for bigger export markets – French got:
• European help for French civil nuclear programme (Euratom)
• European aid for French colonies
• Special transitional arrangements to protect French industry

Conclusion

• EDC a more ambitious project than EEC – latter built on success of ECSC
• Vital factor – France’s attitude; they had satisfactory assurances over EEC but not EDC