The European Union, 1957–91

The Formation of the European Economic Community, 1957

The Treaty of Rome in 1957 led to the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) by six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The primary goal of the EEC was to establish a common market and customs union among its member states.
This idea of increased economic cooperation was proposed as a way to maintain peace in Europe, by intertwining the economies so that war between these nations would become impossible and unprofitable.
The concept of supranationalism was introduced - meaning some decisions would be made above the national level, by the European institutions.

The Merger Treaty in 1967 combined the executive bodies of the EEC, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, demonstrating further integration.
In 1973 the first enlargement took place, with Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joining the community, followed by Greece in 1981, and Spain and Portugal in 1986.
The Single European Act in 1986 aimed at creating a single European market by 1992, revolutionising the way business was conducted within the community.

The drafting of the Maastricht Treaty in 1991 marked a new phase in European integration, with increased cooperation in foreign and internal affairs, justice and policing.
The treaty formally established the European Union (EU) and led to the creation of the single European currency, the euro.
The Maastricht Treaty also introduced the concept of European Citizenship, whereby a citizen of a member state is also a citizen of the EU.

The creation of the EEC and later the EU fostered unprecedented economic growth and social progress within Europe.
The single market allowed for free movement of goods, services, people, and capital between member countries, stimulating competition and trade.
The sense of unity strengthened peace amongst these European nations and globally, with the EU playing a vital role in negotiating international agreements.
The increasing power of the EU, however, raised issues pertaining to national sovereignty, influencing the ongoing debate regarding the nature and the future of European integration.