BACHELOR OF EUROPEAN STUDIES

The Schuman Declaration (9 May 1950) can be defined as one of the fundamental episodes of
contemporary European history. It has laid the foundation for the European Union and is, thus, an
essential document for every student of European Studies.

This assignment consists of 3 elements:

1. Familiarize yourself with the legacy of the Schuman Declaration.

2. Read the Schuman Declaration.
3. Write an essay on the Schuman Declaration (500-750 words). In the essay you must answer the
following questions:

a. Why is the Schuman Declaration considered to be one of the most important stepping-
stones of European integration?
b. What is the legacy of the Schuman Declaration? In other words: how did it impact the
future developments of European Integration?
c. Robert Schuman proposed cooperation within a specific industrial domain. Why, do you
think, he found this particular domain important?
d. Formally, the European Union (EU) was established in 1993, but the Schuman
Declaration is often referred to as the birth of the EU. Which contemporary features of
the EU are already mentioned in the Declaration?
e. Which value does the Declaration have today, more than seventy years later? Do you
find it still relevant or are its visions and statements outdated?

Please structure your essay according to the aforementioned questions by dedicating one
paragraph to each question.

Write your essay below.