The European Union and Ireland's Links with Europe

The Origins of the EU: The Desire for European Unity

• The destruction and suffering in Europe during World War II led many Europeans to consider how to solve European problems and secure peace through greater unity.

• Jean Monnet played a vital role in promoting European unity, stating, "To build Europe is to build peace."

Reasons for European Unity

1. Nationalism:

   • Nationalism was identified as a primary cause of the two World Wars.

   • The aim was to replace nationalism with international cooperation.

2. External Encouragement:

   • The USA and Britain encouraged European unity to avoid being drawn into future European wars.

3. Post-War Weakness:

   • The death and destruction of World War II underscored the need for European unity.

4. Superpower Competition:

   • A unified Europe would be stronger and better able to compete against the two superpowers: the USA and the USSR.

5. German Aggression:

   • One goal was to control German aggression.

6. Economic Revival:

   • The economies of Europe needed to be revived after the war.

7. Fear of Communism:

   • There was fear of the spread of communism from the USSR.

Steps to the European Union (EU)

• After World War II, European unity progressed in political, military, and economic areas.

• Economic integration (closer economic cooperation) was key to this progress.

• The European Economic Community (EEC) was established in 1958 with the passing of the Treaty of Rome (1957).

The destruction and suffering in Europe during World War II led many Europeans to consider how to solve European problems and secure peace through greater unity. Jean Monnet played a vital role in promoting European unity, stating, "To build Europe is to build peace." European unity was driven by several factors. Nationalism was identified as a primary cause of the two World Wars, so the aim was to replace it with international cooperation. The USA and Britain encouraged European unity to avoid being drawn into future European wars. The death and destruction of World War II underscored the need for European unity. A unified Europe would be stronger and better able to compete against the two superpowers: the USA and the USSR. One goal was to control German aggression, and the economies of Europe needed to be revived after the war. Additionally, there was fear of the spread of communism from the USSR. After World War II, European unity progressed in political, military, and economic areas. Economic integration (closer economic cooperation) was key to this progress. The European Economic Community (EEC) was established in 1958 with the passing of the Treaty of Rome (1957).