Eu Law History

EU Law

Lecture 1

Historical Background

What was the catalyst for the idea of a united Europe?

To create unity between Germany and France, which would ultimately lay the foundations for the European Union four decades later.

The creation of the European Communities:

- The Treaty Establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

- The Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community (EEC)

- The Treaty Establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM)

The first stage in integrating Europe was proposed to be the fusing of France and Germany’s Coal and Steel production with the intention for other States to join, taking control away from nation states and placing it under the control of a supranational body.

Why?

The ECSC was first proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 as a way to prevent further war between France and Germany. He declared his aim was to "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible" which was to be achieved by regional integration, of which the ECSC was the first step. The Treaty would create a common market for coal and steel among its member states which served to neutralise competition between European nations over natural resources, particularly in the Ruhr.

Negotiations progressed rapidly and in 1951, the Treaty Establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was signed. This Treaty is sometimes referred to as the Treaty of Paris as this was where it was signed.

The founding States were:

. Belgium

. France

. Germany

. Italy

. Luxembourg

. Netherlands

Three of the founding states had had already formed a customs union amongst themselves. Pressure grew to develop such a common market across Europe.

On March 25th 1957, the Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) was signed by the same States.

The central element of the EEC was a common market. This was a much more ambitious project.

At the same time, the same six states...