The European Union, or EU, originally emerged from the European Economic Community but has evolved far beyond being just an economic organization.
Initially, the European Economic Community consisted of only six founding countries: major powers like Germany, France, Italy, and smaller ones like Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
In order to counter U.S. hegemony and economic monopolies, they progressed from coal and steel cooperation to atomic energy, eventually developing into an economic alliance and ultimately forming a common market.
In 1958, the European Communities were officially established, and member countries began to enjoy the enormous benefits of market exchanges due to economic development, leading to even traditional European powers like the United Kingdom joining in by 1973.
Over time, countries like Denmark and Ireland joined, expanding the number of EU member states to nine.
Major European countries joined successively, forming the initial shape of the EU as the most powerful economic entity in Europe, with other countries observing and subsequently applying for membership, leading to the expansion of EU member states from 12 to 18, 20, and up to 27 today, incorporating much of Europe.
In 2009, the European Union formally replaced the European Communities, integrating most of Europe together.
However, in 2020, the UK's exit from the EU changed the course of history.
The establishment of the EU not only changed Europe but also altered the course of human history.
Before this, both World Wars originated from Europe.
The First World War erupted from 1914 to 1918, triggered by the assassination of the Archduke of Austria-Hungary in Serbia.
This war plunged the entire continent into chaos, resulting in countless casualties.
The subsequent Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 claimed nearly 50 million lives.
The Second World War began in 1939 with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland.
This war was even more devastating in scale and casualties.
Over 100 million people participated in the war, with over 70 million perishing.
The death toll in the Soviet Union alone reached 27 million.
Europe has been a powder keg throughout history, with conflicts like the Franco-Prussian War, the Crimean War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Hundred Years' War, where warfare has been incessant.
This is because they lacked a unified organization and effective dialogue mechanisms, leading to wars at the drop of a hat.
However, the establishment of the EU allowed Europe to integrate economically into a single market, with the presence of the European Council politically.
Not only do member states have unified standards, but borders have also become more open, allowing for the free movement of people.
Sixty-six years later, peace has finally returned to the European continent.
This is why many developing countries also aspire to join the EU.
The success of the EU is not only evident in economic development but also in maintaining regional peace.
Therefore, other regions have also emulated the EU and established similar organizations, attempting to resolve internal conflicts through dialogue and mediation.
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