1930-1944

 

Briand Plan  (May 1930) Often praised as a first step to European integration, but curiously muted when you look at the text (Extract)

 

 

Atlantic Conference (August 1941)
A selection of full-text documents put on-line by the Avalon Porject. The Charter outlines the principles for the four freedoms.

Official Photo and photo of the prayer service on-board the ship where the meeting was held.

Atlantic Charter  (1941) Provided the foundation of US-UK postwar collaboration, part of which found itself eventually into the arrangements for the European Recovery Program (Full Text)

Ventotene Memorandum Towards a Freer and United Europe (1941) Written in prison, provides an early indication of the great federalist Altiero Spinelli’s views of Europe.

 Anglo-American Mutual Aid Agreement
(February 1942) Establishes the basis of defence collaboration between the two countries, Note Article Seven which commits both countries to non-discriminatory commerce, and which will be used by the US to attack UK cartels. (Full Text)

 US President Roosevelt (March 1942, extract) announcing the agreement

 The Master Lend-Lease Agreement (February 1942)

Jean Monnet’ reflections (August 1943) written whilst with the Free French government in Algiers, on the future of postwar Europe and on the need for a new organisation for heavy industry

Benelux Monetary Agreement (October 1943) signed by the governments-in-exile of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, it provided for mutual trading credits after the War.

 United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agreement (November 1943) makes provision for emergency relief supplies to liberated Europe, and for the repatriation of displaced persons, under UN auspices.  It will be Europe’s main source of supplies for two years following the end of the War.

 Bretton Woods Agreement (July 1944) Created the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank) and the International Monetary Fund. It also established the rules governing exchange-rate management that prevailed until the system came apart in 1971/73

 Conference in session and signature.

 Morgenthau Plan (August 1944) Extract

Benelux Customes Union Agreement (September 1944) committing the countries to forming a customs union after the War. Realising that goal proved a little more difficult.