On 8 October we started our faculty for students of the University of Warsaw "Unified ABC". The first classes afraid the genesis of European integration after planet War II.
Robert Schuman's plan presented on 9 May 1950 resulted in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, which became members of France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy – a joint control of coal and steel production was introduced. These 2 natural materials were then essential for post-war reconstruction, development
economic and possible building of military force. The treaty created the first common institutions: the advanced Authority, the Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Court. The same institutions, although under another names, have survived in the European Union to this day.
The plan's originator – Jean Monnet, an authoritative liable for the postwar reconstruction of France, perfectly fit in in the request for a moment. He brought his proposal to French abroad Minister Robert Schuman erstwhile he sought a solution to the German issue he could present to fellow US and UK colleagues at a gathering in London on 10 May. This thought spread a imagination of peace and reconciliation between France and Germany, and besides allowed to overcome the French's fears of the economical possible of the Germans.
But it must not be forgotten that the conclusion of the ECSC Treaty in 1951 was not as apparent as it may seem to us from today's perspective, despite the fact that German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer immediately agreed to the proposal for cooperation in the coal and steel sector. Schuman's plan came only 5 years after planet War II, and there were many environments that were not favorable to him in France or could have had opposition to close-up with Germany, e.g. communists, French right centered around General Charles de Gaulle or industrial circles. Germany was afraid that the cooperation of West Germany would deepen the division of Germany into 2 countries (RFN and GDR). Schuman, as then French abroad Minister, had the courage to make this proposal and take political work for it. That's why the plan bears his name.
During the course of the class, the students became acquainted with the press headlines of the era, with movie chronicles, various reactions to the declaration of 9 May, and incarnated as young people from the 1950s from France and Germany who have different origins and experiences. Their imaginary résumés referred to historical events and processes occurring
during the interwar period, during and after planet War II. The participants were to consider how their characters would respond to Schuman's initiative. Would they support her? Most yet supported Schuman's plan, treating it as a ray of hope. Although there were those who objected to specified a proposal.
At the end of the meeting, it was recalled that although Schuman's proposal had come to fruition – the Treaty on the EWIWS was signed in 1951 in Paris and entered into force in 1952, another effort to integrate within the European Defence Community (another Monet idea) and the effort to undertake political cooperation went to the basket in 1954. However, as early as 1955, the integration process was revived and in 1957, the Treaties of Rome were signed, under which the European economical Community and the European Atomic Energy Community were established in 1958.
Joanna Różycka-Thiriet
Photo: Robert Schuman at the Clock Hall of the French Ministry of abroad Affairs, 1950 © Communautés européennes 1950-1959
