What Efforts Were Made To Unify Europe After The Devastation Of World War 2?

After long preparation, the Council of Europe was established in May of 1949. The goal of this organization is to promote closer unity among its some eighteen member nations so that economic and social progress might be achieved. The Council, however, has no real power. It can only pursue its goal by making recommendations to member governments.

But in 1951, with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, the first real progress toward European cooperation was realized. The six member nations include Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. Headquarters for the organization are here in Luxembourg.

The European Coal and Steel Community was founded to create in western Europe a common market for coal and steel, as well as their subsidiary products. It was intended that barriers to trade in coal and steel among member nations, such as tariffs, quotas and other import restrictions, be abolished. In officially announcing this project on May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman of France spoke of the eventual aim to create a United States of Europe. He acknowledged, however, that this would require progressive steps toward greater unification.