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By the end of the World War II most European countries are in miserable condition. Their economies are severely damaged and dysfunctional. Thus originates the idea of founding common European organization which has two main goals: to aid the economic recovery of the region and to ensure a politically stable order that would prevent future conflicts.
THE BIRTH OF THE EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS
Formation of OEEC and EPU
The first steps in that direction are taken in 1947 when the Organization for European Economic Cooperation(OEEC) is formed. It focuses on the effective distribution of the aid provided to Europe by the Marshall Plan. It also encourages free trade among the countries on the continent. The other institution established to further bolster the revival of the European economies is the European Union. However, the scope of action of these organization is limited to economic recovery and nothing is done in the direction of achieving political stability and unification on the continent.
FIRST ATTEMPTS: The European Parliament and Council of Europe
In attempt to achieve not only economic but also political stability for the continent the foundations of the European Parliament are laid in 1948. The Council of Europe is established the next year. However, these institutions remain ineffective because of their too broadly defined scope of action. In reality they had little power which was further restricted by the requirement all decisions to be taken unanimously. France takes the first effective action in 1950. In the heart of the declaration made by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman lays the proposal to merge the steel and coal resources of France and Germany into one pool open to all European countries. This bald act has two main purposes: founds the basis for future European economic integration and excludes the possibility of a new conflict reigniting between France and Germany. This is the first practical effort toward the building of a common European institution which demonstrates the will of these countries to commit to the actual unification of The Old World. The example set is quickly followed by Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY GAINING STRENGTH
The next decades were marked by rapid activity and energetic action towards laying the basis of the European Community. The main institutions established were:
- European Commission: drafts policies and implements decisions
- The Council of Ministers: takes policy decisions
- The European Parliament: overall control
- The Court of Justice: judicial control
In the 60s and 70s the Community engaged predominantly in the establishment of a Common Market. Customs duties were gradually reduced and free flow of people, goods and capital was ensured. The duties from the rest of the world were now counted as income for the European Union and part of it was spent on protecting the agricultural sector in the European Union as a whole. The first steps toward adopting a common economic policy followed. The European Community coordinated common foreign policy as well. It engaged in treaties with the States and some African and Mediterranean countries. It also opened accession negotiations with several other European countries. In 1972 Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark and Norway signed the treaty of Accession.
The current European Union was officialy established in 1993 with the Maastricht Treaty coming into effect.
For a more detailed overview on European Union History go to:
http://www.cmutuel.com/cmutueva/html/frame_construction.htmlOther sources: Uniting Europe, Brussels:European Communities Press and Information, 1972. Dewatripont, Mathias, et al. Flexible Integration: Towrds a More Effective and Democratic Europe, London: Center for Economic Policy Reserch, 1995.
