Schuman Declaration

Task 1

Name: Maria Alejandra Diaz Calixto

ID: i6210092

Course: Back to the sources SKI2005

Group: 3

Tutor: Afra de Mars

Faculty: University College Maastricht

Date: February 13th 2023

1)Why can political speeches be problematic as sources?

Speeches have been consider important political communication instrument throughout time
(Readman, 2009).Through speeches, political actors are understood to conveyed their ideas and
stances. Political speeches often have as a purpose persuading the public on a particular matter.
Readman argues that since the mid nineteenth century,  political speeches were the the most important
source of political communication. Speeches as an instrument of communication, have however been
complex sources of analysis. Before the nineteenth century, because these speeches were not
documented in texts, academics faced difficulties reaching sources and thus dealt with issues of
authenticity. For the current analysis of political speeches the widespread and massification of
broadcast media and other media outlets such as television and radio, in which this speeches are made
available as sources, has been an important technological innovation. Yet as stated by Readman, it is
crucial to keep in mind how one analyzes the sources of political speeches, as this process can yield
problematic analysis. For instance, how a political speech is portrayed in media, often follows and
organized attempt to highlight and make emphasis on specific parts of the entirety of a speech. As
well, recorded speeches could be understood to be documented in controlled environments in which
details and specific elements can be used to convey and specific message, feeling and understanding
of the speech. According to these reflections, not only the content of the speech is important when
analyzing this sources. As found by Harts during their research conducted in the mid 20th century, the
form and location are as important as the content when analyzing political speeches (Readman, 2009
p.213). Who the speech was presented to and where this was transmitted is important to gain a better
understanding of the purpose of presenting a message. Where was this directed and through which
means they understood this would be more relevant to be shared are some of the questions that could
allow one to have a better analysis of the speech. Even though this questions shed light on the
“construction and content of public utterances” (Readman, 2009 p.214), it has been understood that
these sources can not by itself help academics understand the reception and impact this discourses had
on civil society. The documentation of the perception of a speech does not entirely represent how the
people have understood and judge the speech. Because of this, Readman affirms the need for this
sources to be analyzed along with other sources in which the context and other factors are taken into
consideration. Besides the understanding of ideological positions found within speeches, other
characteristics could be interpreted from a political speech. However, if the later is the purpose of the
analysis, and this is not done with attention to other sources and context specific factors, analysis just
the speech as the source can be problematic. Thus, to have a more comprehensive analysis of a
speeche, academics need to take into account the different reflections Headman (2009) mentions.
When this are taken for granted, headman argues that this sources can be used in a problematic
manners. This are vital sources, yet for the analysis of this sources to be meaningful and
representative, speeches need to be read with a attention to the context and other related sources.

2. The Schuman Declaration:

I have in previous research processes use different database of the EU. Hoping to find another primary
source of the declaration, I opt to search in different European Union website from another English
version of the declaration. I decided to use the May 9th 1950 speech extract, found on the cvce.eu
website, lastly edited on September 22nd 2014. This website is linked to the research infrastructure of
the University of Luxembourg and has a variety of documents that dive into the European integration
processes. The document Schuman declaration retrieved from this archive is presented in English, and
due to the source stated in the document: Luxembourg: European Parliament - Committee on
Institutional Affairs, 1982. 561 p. p. 47-48, it is consider to be reliable. Furthermore, one can
highlight the other documents available in this website in which draft of the declarations Schuman
along with Jean Monet and their colleagues created are available.
Besides this primary source, and following the reflections of Headman (2009), different
secondary sources in which the historical context and contemporary political and economic landscape
were described were consulted and retrieved from different academic search engines to aid in the
analysis of this speech.

a)What are the differences between Nelsen & Stubb version of the Schuman declaration and the one
found on CVCE?
Both versions, point out the economic prosperity and “peace attaining” motives driving the creation of
an European Coal and Steel Community. As well, in both documents they make reference to what
they described as the main concern parties: France and Germany, and their long-lasting conflict.
Both sources, state how the idea of a Franco-German production of coal and steel is proposed to be
under a common higher authority. As well both sources make reference, with the same words to the
idea that this project can be understood as the common foundations and first step in the creation of the
federation of Europe.
The Nelsen and Stubb (2003) source, does not touch upon how is the different characteristics
on trade and production proposed within the speech. As well it does not states how the “higher
authority” is understood, conformed and what is the role of it for this new economic and political
project. The version retrieved from CVCE, does include how the “common higher authority” will be
composed of independent persons appointed by the Governments on an equal basis (2014, p.3). A
chairman will be chosen by common agreement between the Governments. The authority’s decisions
will have executive force in France, Germany, and other member countries. Moreover it does not
point out another important actor: the United Nations. According to the declaration gathered in
CVCE, “A representative of the United Nations will be accredited to the authority, and will be
instructed to make a public report to the United Nations twice yearly, giving an account of the
working of the new organisation, particularly as concerns the safeguarding of its specific objects.”
Moreover, it makes reference to the role of the “International Ruhr Authority” (IAR) , and asserts that
the common higher authority will respect the powers conferred to this. Thus, the chosen document,
compared to the Nelsen and Stubb (2003) do describe the decision makers and other important actors
that were addressed in the proposed coal and steel community between France and Germany. It
clearly stated the points the French Government is open to negotiate. it clarified their role and the
democratic characteristic the “common higher authority” will have. Moreover, it mentions as another
reason for the economic unification, Europe “essential task”: the development of the African
Continent.

b.) What are the different explicit reasons mentioned by Schuman for his Plan?

- The maintenance of peaceful relations in the European context;the elimination of the age-old

opposition of France and Germany; prevent war between France and Germany. (CVCE, 2014; Nelsen

& Stubb, 2003)

- Create a framework of organisation open to the participation of the other countries of Europe; Create

a common foundations for economic development; provide all the member countries with the basic

elements of industrial production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their economic

unification; Establishment of a common economic system which in this speech is understood as a first

step in the creation of the federation of Europe. (CVCE, 2014; Nelsen & Stubb, 2003)

-Raising living standards (Nelsen & Stubb, 2003)

- The development of the African Continent. (CVCE, 2014):

c.) Present an argument in which you try to establish to what degree the explicit reasons

mentioned by Schuman can be trusted.

One can understand from the different secondary sources reviewed that Schuman participated in the

French resistance during the war, and was taken prisoner ( European council n.d) . The personal
motives to ensure a peaceful relation among France and Germany could thus be understood from this

information.

The idea of the economic unification of European countries had previously been discussed

after the first world war with the Paneuropean movement (McKesson, 1952). As well after the end of

the second world war, in the Briand proposal in which an European federation was subject of

discussion. Hence, ideologies of economic unification previously linked to the creation of a united

union were contested in the contemporary political and economic landscape.

Often during the speech they refer to the proposal as one created and presented by the French

government. The proposal as shown in the CVCE platform, has 8 draft in which other members of the

French government participated. This could be interpreted as the proposal was subjected to a

consensus process. The opinion voiced in the speech are representative of the consensus among

governmental officials that participated in the creation of the declaration. The fact that Schuman

presented the speech does not assert that Schuman’s opinions are represented in the speech. It could

be interpreted that for his position as French Foreign Minister.

One can understand by interpreting to whom the proposal is address, the trustworthiness of

the proposal. This is not only directed to the German government but also to the international

community. As it addresses within the proposal the creation of a higher common authority in which

the United Nations and IAR are included, one can argue that the proposal was though with caution

and with the notion that they could be later be held accountable by these actors and institutions.

The primary aim of the plan is, therefore, the creation of a common coal and steel industry that coukd

support the economic unification of Europe as it take into consideration al of the producers of these

materials in Europe (McKesson, 1952). Pooling of resources and instrument is understood as

beneficial for the French and German, as new arrangements on trade, distribution and production

could benefit the countries involve in production. Acknowledging the productive capacity of Germany

in this industry and the current international arrangement such as the IRA, the French would benefit

for this economic and political proposal and thus the Schuman declaration could be interpreted as a

Credible proposal.
References:

Brent Nelsen and Alexander Stubb (eds.) (1994, 3rd ed. 2003). Schuman Declaration. The
European Union. Readings on the Theory and Practice of European Integration (p. 11-12).
Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Readman, Paul (2009). Speeches. In Miriam Dobson and Benjamin Ziemann. Reading
primary sources : the interpretation of texts from nineteenth- and twentieth-century history.
(pp. 209-225) London; New York: Routledge.

The Schuman Declaration (Paris, 9 May 1950). (2014, September 22). CVCE.EU by

UNI.LU; CVCE.EU by UNI.LU.

https://www.cvce.eu/en/recherche/unit-content/-/unit/b9fe3d6d-e79c-495e-856d-

9729144d2cbd/e3a3d62f-ceb2-4202-9d66-6dd88b316931/Resources

The International Authority for the Ruhr (2016) CVCE.EU by UNI.LU

https://www.cvce.eu/obj/the_international_authority_for_the_ruhr-en-d27b6708-a15d-448a-
891b-1158bafe023a.html

McKesson, J. A. (1952). The Schuman Plan. Political Science Quarterly, 67(1), 18–35.

https://doi.org/10.2307/2145296

European council.The Schuman Declaration: Where the EU was born. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 14, 2023, from https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/70-schuman-declaration/