ABSTRACT
The European Union presents itself on the world scene as a global player in the field of international trade and as an emergent actor in many other domains such as environment, development aid and even foreign and security policies. The general history of the European continent in the first half of the twentieth century is well known, worldwide, as it has indeed affected the entire world. The two European wars (1914-1918 and 1939-1945) gradually expanded into world wars. The framework for a worldwide new legal order was provided by the United Nations Charter. However, on the European continent, with its outspoken antagonisms, a particular formula had to be found for guaranteeing peaceful relations and overall social and economic development. Given the state-centrism of most governments, the so-called 'European Movement' was mainly rooted in civil society. Apart from the German Chancellor Adenauer, who agreed in advance, the French move was a surprise to all European governments.
