Subject Area
History
Description
This paper investigates France’s role during the first decade of European integration, and in particular the initiatives of Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman which led to the creation of the European Communities. Monnet and Schuman began the modern process of uniting Europe with the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, but the process of integration faced its strongest opposition within France itself and the movement had its first setback in 1954 when the French National Assembly rejected the proposed European Defense Community. Nevertheless, European integration continued, and after the subsequent French election, France rebuilt momentum for further European integration and led the effort to create the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. Both of these Communities came into existence in 1958 and – along with the European Coal and Steel Community – laid the institutional foundation for the European Union.
Publisher
Providence College
Date
Spring 2015
Type
Article
Format
Text
Language
English
