German question, Treaties of Paris, ECSC, Pleven Plan

Question 1

What is the first example of European integration?

Answer 1

1815 with the defeat of Napoleon. The balance of power in Europe was restored.

Question 2

What is the core idea behind balance of power?

Answer 2

To prevent the existence of a dominating state to prevent wars on the European continent. States would have equal amounts of power.

Question 3

Did the balance of power idea work?

Answer 3

No, there were a lot of armed conflicts and death since this time.

Question 4

What is the German question?

Answer 4

How is France going to contain Germany without foreign support?

Question 5

What led to the German question?

Answer 5

Three Franco-German wars. The Franco-Prussian war of 1870 was the most important, as it led to the unification of Germany. This was a key turning point for the balance of power, because they became a leading European land power. This led to the German empire, which in turn led to Nazi Germany.

Question 6

How did the Franco-Prussian war lead to the unification of Germany?

Answer 6

Thought of Bismarck that if the länder could conquer France, they could form a single state.

Question 7

How was the German question answered?

Answer 7

1. Partitioning of Germany into allied zones (US, France, Britain, SU). This became more permanent due to the relations between west and east worsening, which led to the BRD and DDR.
2. Non-European holders of balance of power. This would maintain BOP in Europe by having outside influence. This caused a western vs eastern bloc by US and SU.
3. Spheres of influence. 2 led to implicit understanding of spheres of influence.

Question 8

Context that led to the idea of the ECSC

Answer 8

Mood of wanting change, to not return to pre-war ways. It had destroyed infrastructure, economies and social cohesion due to Nazi collaboration in governments. This led to more support of federalist ideas, mostly in countries that had suffered from fascism.
There were concerns such as:
1. The emerging cold war caused security issues (DDR).
2. France felt that the partitioning of Germany wasn’t enough, a more permanent solution was needed for security concerns.
3. Most of the resources needed to strengthen economies were in Germany, but it could not be allowed to get rebuilt.

Question 9

Why the idea of ECSC? Monney’s three questions

Answer 9

Monnet French civil servant was busy with these concerns. There were three questions:
1. How can we prevent another war?
Europeans were becoming more nationalist, which blocked the idea of a united Europe.
2. How can the European economy be restored?
German resources, but how to prevent Germany from rebuilding industry?
3. How can the rise of communism be stopped?
Spread of communism after WWII, not a good partner

Question 10

What was the answer to Monnet’s questions?

Answer 10

European integration was the answer. The goal was an economically, united western Europe. Monnet had no confidence in a free-market, because this had not worked for France.

Question 11

What was the goal for setting up the ECSC?

Answer 11

1. Integrate west European economies. A bigger scheme would be too ambitious, so coal and steel would be the starting points.
2. It would also prevent Germany from going to war, because of dependency on other countries
3. Decartelisation of coal and steel industries, as they were Nazi’s.

Question 12

How did the ECSC get set up?

Answer 12

Monnet proposed questions to Schuman, French Foreign minister.
This was presented in the 1950s in the Paris Treaties.
The declaration called for an organised Europe.

Question 13

What did the Schuman declaration entail?

Answer 13

Call for organised Europe, as there were threats to world peace which could only be solved on a grand scale. This needed to be done in small steps, by solidarity and small achievements to create trust. The France/Germany relationship needed to be fixed. The Franco-German production of coal and steel would be placed under a common High Authority and would be open to other countries. The pooling of resources would set up common foundations for economic development and a step towards a federation of Europe.

Question 14

Why did the pooling of resources/ECSC need a supranational organisation?

Answer 14

1. Shows commitment to European integration
2. Easier for an IO to enforce compliance
3. More efficient

Question 15

What was France’s position on the ECSC?

Answer 15

1. Coal supply = economic recovery
2. German economic recovery without mobilization

Question 16

What was Germany’s position on the ECSC?

Answer 16

1. Adenauer was from the border like Schuman
   Knew what war was like and wanted to prevent this
2. Restoring international reputation
   Reconciling with France and getting rid of allied occupation so they can also recover economically
3. Equal treatment (Gleichberechtigung)
   Not Nazi Germany anymore
4. Party ideology (CDU connect with Western Europe)
5. Window of opportunity
   Chancellor had a lot of power in foreign policy, US guaranteed them France wouldn’t take advantage

Question 17

What was the UK’s position on the ECSC?

Answer 17

Not in favour
1. Labour replaced Churchill who was in favour of united Europe
2. Had plenty of coal + commonwealth so enough resources
3. Labour wanted to nationalise their industries
4. UK feels more separated from Europe
Fascism never succeeded, WWII was just national for them
World power with global responsibilities

Question 18

What was USA’s position on the ECSC?

Answer 18

1. Interested in united Europe because they don’t want to police anymore
2. Strengthening of NATO and allies under US guidance
3. Need for Europe to recover due to debt Marshall plan
4. West Germany as ally to fight communism

Question 19

What was Benelux’s position on the ECSC?

Answer 19

Lukewarm
1. Desire for peace and recovery
2. Fear of Franco-German domination because they’re only small powers
3. Wanted intergovernmental Council of Ministers

Question 20

What were the institutions of the ECSC?

Answer 20

1. High Authority
   Large member state could supply 2 members
   Headed by Monnet
   Funded through direct taxation of industries
2. Council of Ministers
   National Ministers
   Consent on non C&S issues like budget and institution
3. Parliamentary Assembky
   National MPs
   Only for consultation
   Can dismiss HA
4. Court of Justice
   Rules on legality of HA’s actions

Question 21

What were the key components of the ECSC?

Answer 21

1. Decartelisation of German C&S industry for fair competition between western European companies and equalised access to resources
2. Transitioning towards a customs union for C&S to break down barriers for trade. There were side payments to weaker economic parties (BE, IT) in form of equalisation funds so they could catch up
3. Gradual harmonisation of working conditions

Question 22

Paris Treaties

Answer 22

1951
One half was ECSC, other half was Pleven Plan

Question 23

Why the idea for Pleven Plan?

Answer 23

1. US pivot to Asia
   They saved Europe from Nazi Germany and wanted Europe to defend themselves. They were more focused on the communist threat from the Korean wars.
2. DDR threat, BDR defence
   Germany was not allowed its own military, so there was the question of how they could defend themselves from DDR/communism
3. Federalists
   More people with federalist ideas/ambitions, question of how to move beyond nationalism

Question 24

Goal/idea of Pleven Plan

Answer 24

1. Common European Army (EDC)
   German divisions in European army with no German command
   No independent German army
   No equal treatment, but end to occupation of Germany
2. European Political Community (EPC)
   Would give orders to army
   Based on supranational decision-making like ECSC

Question 25

Outcome of Pleven Plan

Answer 25

Not ratified in French parliament due to communists in parliament (fear of rising Germany)

Question 26

Why did the EPC/EDC fail?

Answer 26

1. Too much ceding of sovereignty which led to more concerns
2. Not a small step like ECSC
3. Politically not feasible because of high profile unlike ECSC, public did not agree

Question 27

Consequence of Pleven Plan failure

Answer 27

BRD and Italy join NATO and WEU. This solved the security issue and so there was no need for a common European army anymore