[DasIch]

While this is true, the idea behind this was not merely to collaborate on coal and steel production. The intention from the very beginning was that such tight economic coupling would make war impossible.

Germany has the idea of "Wandel durch Handel" (change through trade)[1], which is essentially that you can prevent and make war non-viable and eventually even change countries to follow democratic norms. The EU is the most extreme version of this.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wandel_durch_Handel

[lispm]

"Schumann declaration", 1950:

"By pooling basic production and by instituting a new High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany and other member countries, this proposal will lead to the realization of the first concrete foundation of a European federation indispensable to the preservation of peace."

The European Federation was the goal.

[mpclark]

"a European federation" != "The European Federation"