Der Wochen-Rückblick in Einfacher Sprache


How did the EU come into being?

The idea for the European Union came after World War 2. Six countries in Europe came together. Germany, France and Italy were there. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg also joined. The countries wanted to work together to make sure there would not be another war.

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11.06.2018, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bottrop: Bergleute stehen auf der Zeche Prosper Haniel im Förderkorb. Das Bergwerk Prosper Haniel ist das letzte aktive Steinkohle Bergwerk im Ruhrgebiet. Ende 2018 schließt die Ruhrkohle AG (RAG) das Bergwerk.
Cooperation in the area of coal and steel marked the beginnings of the European Union. (dpa / picture alliance / Oliver Berg)
At the time the countries did not call themselves the EU. At first the countries decided only to work on a few things together. This included the coal industry and steel production.
Coal and steel used to be important to make war. This is because coal and steel were necessary to build artillery and tanks. The countries said: if we produce coal and steel together, it will be harder to start a war against one another.
The countries also said: if we work together, life will be easier for our people. They also said: if we work together everything will be better for all of us.