Inner Six
“
European unity was a dream of a few. It became a hope for many. Today it is a necessity for us all.
— 
Konrad Adenauer
The Inner Six, also known as The Six, the Six Founders, or the founding members of the 
European Union, refers to 
Belgium, 
France, 
Germany, 
Italy, 
Luxembourg, and the 
Netherlands, the six founding member states of the 
European Communities, now succeeded by the European Union.
The integration efforts of the Inner Six took place during the Cold War, and one of the motivations was to prevent the recurrence of conflicts in Europe and to present a united front against the 
Soviet bloc.
History[edit | edit source]
The Inner Six are those who responded to the Schuman Declaration's call for the pooling of coal and steel resources under a common High Authority. The six signed the Treaty of 
Paris creating the European Coal and Steel Community on 18 April 1951 (which came into force on 23 July 1952). Following on from this, they attempted to create a 
European Defence Community: with the idea of allowing 
West Germany to rearm under the authority of a common European military command, a treaty was signed in 1952. However the plan was rejected by the Senate of France, which also scuppered the draft treaty for a 
European Political Community (which would have created a political federation to ensure 
democratic control over the new European army).
The failure of these initiatives underscored the complexities and sensitivities of sovereignty, especially concerning the rearmament of West Germany so soon after World War II.
Despite these setbacks, the Inner Six continued their efforts to deepen economic integration. The Treaty of 
Rome, signed on March 25, 1957, marked a pivotal moment as the treaty established two new communities alongside the European Coal and Steel Community: the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The EEC aimed to create a common market among member states, fostering economic cooperation and reducing trade barriers. Euratom, on the other hand, focused on developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
This period laid the groundwork for what would evolve into the European Union (EU). The Inner Six's commitment to economic cooperation and integration not only aimed to stimulate economic growth but also sought to promote stability and peace in a war-torn Europe by fostering interdependence among member states. The subsequent expansion of the EU, with more countries joining over the decades, has built upon the initial vision and efforts of these six founding members.
