Rick Steves’ Europe: European Union 101 or the history of the EU

Double-sided benches — with bottle-green planks separated by a thin backrest — are a trademark of Paris, lining the bustling sidewalks of the Champs-Elysées and the tree-dotted banks of the Seine. And so I was intrigued when I learned there’s one in Washington, DC…and even more so when I found out it’s a memorial to an architect of modern Europe. Because right here, in the US government’s backyard, is where the European Union (EU) was drawn up.

The EU — and its evolving relationship with the USA — has been in the news a lot lately. And while frustrations with its sometimes-clunky policies and heavy-handed bureaucracy are genuine, with so much misunderstanding in our world today, it’s important to remember why the EU exists.

In the late 1940s, Europe had to take a good hard look in the mirror. Brawls between its combustible countries had sparked two World Wars in just 25 years, decimating generations, economies, cultures, and global stability. So the Continent collectively wondered: How can we stop this from happening again?

The Treaty of Versailles, which tried to answer this question after World War I, didn’t work. The sanctions it slapped on Germany – ceding territory, paying fines, reducing military, and essentially being required to take full blame for WWI – proved too harsh. Instead of knocking Germany down, it stoked German anger and sparked the rise of the Nazi party. Arguably, the Treaty of Versailles didn’t just end World War I…it started World War II.

So after WWII concluded, a French politician named Jean Monnet proposed the opposite approach. Monnet lived in Washington, DC, and was fascinated by the United States’ system of united states: Parts of a whole that operate independently, but still share essential resources and work toward a collective prosperity. On his walks home from government meetings, Monnet dreamed up a similar model for Europe. That Parisian bench – now at the French Embassy – is a nod to Monnet’s love for nearby Rock Creek Park, where inspiration struck.

Monnet pitched his idea for a united Europe, and America bought in. Through the Marshall Plan, the US helped European countries get back on their feet while Monnet put his brainchild into action. America’s thinking here was twofold. First, European collaboration greatly reduced the chance of infighting sparking another World War. Second, the US could benefit significantly. With the Soviet Union looming behind the Iron Curtain at Europe's eastern fringe, America’s support could ensure western European nations emerged from WWII as democracies, allies, and trading partners…instead of as communist adversaries.

As the United States helped western Europe rebuild, Monnet and France’s Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, drafted a plan for the American-backed countries to mimic the US and pool resources. They opted for coal and steel – war materials – which allowed participating nations not only to collaborate to achieve better manufacturing and quicker prosperity…but also to keep an eye on each other.

On May 9, 1950, the “Schuman Declaration” launched the European Coal and Steel Community – and six nations agreed to try it out: France, Italy, West Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. And while the name “European Union” wouldn’t emerge until 1992, this is the founding of the EU as we know of it today. Like America celebrates July 4, the EU celebrates May 9 as “Europe Day.”

It worked. Within years, those six countries were doing so well that they wanted to move beyond coal and steel. They added more areas of collaboration and formed an elected government – the seed for today’s gigantic European Parliament – ensuring their citizens could democratically vote on representatives to this growing union. More success came, and by the 1970s, other European countries asked if there was room for them, too.

Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, then Greece in 1981, then Spain and Portugal in 1986. Over decades, this “European Union” grew to 28 countries (now 27, after the UK famously left via Brexit), including some former Soviet states – a major victory for global democracy. With each enlargement, the EU assumed new problems to solve and adopted new citizens to care for.

Today’s European Union is a true family of nations. It recognizes that common European problems are best solved by working together, instead of "every nation for itself." And, the thinking goes, with that collaboration also comes a better chance of prosperity and happiness for all of Europe.

This vision may seem overly utopian. (And, at times, it is.) But at its core, and as that bench in DC reminded me, the European Union was founded – and continues to succeed – as a peace project. This May 9 marks 75 years without war between EU countries. And, after Europe leveled itself with two World Wars in 25 years, that’s quite an accomplishment.

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Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick's favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)