Question

Why was European Union formed ? Write any two causes.

Hint:

Remember the historical context: the EU's origins lie in the aftermath of World War II. The twin goals were always peace and economic prosperity. The precursor to the EU was the European Coal and Steel Community (1951), which pooled vital war-making resources.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union that evolved over decades after World War II. Its formation was driven by a desire for peace, stability, and economic prosperity on the war-torn continent.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation (Two Causes):
Two primary causes for the formation of the European Union are:
1. To Prevent Future Wars: The devastating experiences of two World Wars, which originated in Europe, created a strong political will to ensure lasting peace. The core idea was that countries that are economically interdependent and cooperate on political matters are far less likely to go to war with each other. By integrating the economies of former rivals like France and Germany, the founders hoped to make conflict impossible.
2. To Promote Economic Reconstruction and Prosperity: After World War II, European economies were shattered. Leaders believed that by creating a single market with the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people, they could rebuild their economies more effectively. This economic integration would also create a powerful bloc that could compete on the global stage with other major powers like the United States and the Soviet Union.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The European Union was formed primarily to secure lasting peace after centuries of conflict and to foster economic cooperation for reconstruction and prosperity in the post-war era.