European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), established in 1951, was the first step toward European economic integration. It created a shared framework for managing coal and steel industries among six founding countries—Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—aiming to prevent future conflicts and promote economic cooperation. By pooling these vital resources and establishing common rules, the ECSC fostered trust and stability in post-war Europe, laying the groundwork for the broader European Union. It served as a successful model for collaboration, emphasizing joint governance and economic unity among member states.