AP World History Practice Test 2025: Europe's Developments (AMSCO 1.6)

The primary reason for the establishment of the European Union (EU) after World War II was to promote economic cooperation and integration. The devastation and turmoil of the war left many European countries seeking stability and a way to prevent future conflicts. By fostering economic collaboration, the EU aimed to create interdependence among its member states, making armed conflict less likely.

The early forms of European integration, such as the European Coal and Steel Community and later the European Economic Community, were designed to unify the economies of key industries across borders, which would in turn contribute to political stability. This idea was rooted in the belief that economic cooperation would not only enhance trade and prosperity but also promote peace among nations that had previously been rivals.

This focus on economic cooperation helped pave the way for the establishment of a larger European community, ultimately evolving into the EU we know today.