The Role of Belgium in the European Integration of the 1950s

本研究的目的是分析比利时在20世纪50年代欧洲一体化中的作用。然后，本文以煤炭开采业为研究对象。由于煤炭工业在比利时战后重建中发挥了重要作用，并于20世纪50年代加入欧洲煤钢共同体（ECSC），比利时有两个产煤区，一个是比利时南部，另一个是北部的坎平。比利时南部的矿井是古老的，而坎平是新的。这引起了这个国家的地区冲突。同时，在煤炭工业方面，比利时两大金融控股公司的存在加速了比利时煤炭工业的集中。1952年ECSC成立后，比利时煤炭工业一直由中央政府和ECSC最高权力机构控制和补贴，但比利时煤矿仍然是ECSC的边缘生产者，并在1958年危机中衰落。除煤炭外，大多数工业都支持ECSC，因为它们可以进口廉价优质的煤炭，与其他国家竞争。50年代，比利时与西欧的相互依存度有所提高。这就是为什么比利时在《巴黎条约》签署后支持欧洲一体化。

The aim of this study is to analyze the role of Belgium in the European integration of the 1950s. Then, this study focuses on the coal mining industry. Because this industry had important role for Belgian postwar reconstruction and was also integrated in European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1950s.Belgium has two coal-producing regions, one is southern Belgium and the other is Campine in north. The mines of southern Belgium were old and Campine was new. This awaked regional conflict in this country. Meanwhile in coal mining industry, the concentration was hastened by two greatest financial holding companies in the country.After the ECSC was established in 1952, Belgian Coal Industry had been controlled and subsidized by teh national government and the High Authority of ECSC.But Belgian coal mines remained the marginal producer in the ECSC and fell in the crisis of 1958.On the other hand, most industries except coal had supported the ECSC,for they could import cheap and good quality coal and compete against the other countries. And Belgium and western European Interdependence had been increased in the 1950s. This is why Belgium had supported the European integration after the Treaty of Paris was signed.