1 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
The European Union was formed because they wanted to standardized railroads and form a trade bloc, right? Like, back in the 70's or 80's or something?
I don't know hardly anything about the early origins of the EU, but it's preferential trade within Europe, which is a trade thing, so I don't know that he's 100% wrong there.
Comment by tavitavarus at 15/10/2018 at 09:27 UTC*
16 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Actually the main motivations for creating the EU were diplomatic, not economic.
It was originally called the European Coal and Steel Community and the primary signatories were France and West Germany, along with Italy and the Benelux region. Its purpose was to bind the economies and production capacity of Europe together. By making the steel and coal production of France and Germany inextricably interlinked, neither country could ever fight the other, as the industry needed to produce weapons was controlled jointly by both.
It has expanded massively in size and scope since then, becoming the European Union, but at its core the EU remains a peace project intended to end the constant conflict between European powers and in that respect it remains a huge success. With the exception of the Balkans and former Yugoslavia, which was never part of the EU, Europe has been at peace since WW2, by far the longest period of peace it has known in the last millenium.