Following the Second World War, many European countries were wiped out. The result of the activities of the Third Reich had left Europe's political system of nation-states dismantled and devastated, and most importantly, the European economy lay disrupted in ruins. In result of this, there was a wave of new ideas in Europe, namely to start over and to avoid going through such an experience. Prominent to this vague striving for a new Europe, was the concept of federalism, of some kind of political union. Many were the efforts of integrating Europe, but one of the most important ones was The Shuman Plan, proposing the European Coal and Steel Community. In the paragraphs that follow, I will explain The Shuman Plan, as well as the European Coal and Steel Community and its importance in European integration.
             The Shuman Plan takes its name from France's foreign minister Robert Shuman. In his May 9th, 1950 Declaration, we find the following: "The French government proposes to take action immediately on one limited but the decisive point...to place Franco-German production of coal and steel under a High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of other countries of Europe...The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable but materially impossible...This proposal will build the first concrete foundation of a European federation which is indispensable to the preservation of peace." Monnet saw the coal and steel plan, as did Shuman, as a positive track towards European integration and cooperation. Six governments agreed to meet and discuss the plan: France, England, the three Benelux countries and Italy. National ratification followed quickly with the Treaty of Paris on April 18th, 1951. The European Coal And Steel Community was now born under the consent of all its signatories except Britain who rejected the proposal b...