The European Union is a reality that traces its origins back to a history marked by wars, conflicts, divisions, and suffering, but also by a strong desire to build a shared future of peace, stability, and prosperity.
The foundations of a united Europe were laid at the end of World War II, when the European peoples, exhausted and scarred by the violence of fascism and its devastation, chose to set aside historical rivalries and work together for a continent that would refuse to return to the atrocities of the past. In this context, a united Europe is inextricably linked to the anti-fascist memory, a memory that is the very foundation of its essence and continuity.
Fascism, with its ideologies of intolerance, supremacism, and violence, represented one of the darkest periods in European history. World War II, in particular, led to the death of millions of people, destroying entire nations and leaving indelible scars on the heart of the continent. After the end of the conflict, European leaders recognized the need to overcome historical rivalries between nations and build a common project that would secure peace and promote the values of democracy, solidarity, and respect for human rights.
In 1951, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) initiated a process of cooperation that would eventually evolve into the European Union. These countries chose to share resources and decide together on key matters such as coal and steel, marking a collective commitment to preventing future wars. The idea was clear: only through cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect could Europe build a future free from the divisions and violence of the past.
A united Europe came to life not just as an area of economic cooperation but as a project with a deep commitment to the protection of anti-fascist values: freedom, democracy, and human rights. These values, born from resistance to fascism and Nazism, became the cornerstone of the European Union. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, adopted in 2000, is a tangible testimony of how civil, political, and social rights are considered non-negotiable and central to European community life.
The European Union has placed at the center of its project the building of a society that rejects all forms of discrimination, oppression, and violence. The anti-fascist historical memory has always accompanied the process of European integration, reminding people of the suffering caused by authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and ensuring that such tendencies never resurface.
In the years following its creation, the European Union faced complex challenges, including the end of the Cold War, the eastward enlargement, the global economic crisis, and more recently, threats to the internal democratic system. In this context, anti-fascist principles have remained crucial in shaping European policies and defending peace and stability. The Union has worked to ensure that no country, inside or outside its borders, could ever again embrace ideologies that threaten peaceful coexistence.
In recent years, Europe has also faced new challenges, with the return of movements and parties that, although not explicitly fascist, draw on xenophobic, nationalist, and anti-democratic rhetoric. In response to these trends, the European Union has strongly reaffirmed the importance of anti-fascist historical memory, promoting initiatives to educate young generations about the dangers of extremist ideologies and how to combat them.
The anti-fascist roots of the European Union are a distinctive element that gives it a strong and unique identity. A united Europe is not just an economic entity, but a political and social project based on the sharing of deeply human values. The fight against fascism, in all its forms, is a commitment that goes beyond simple historical memory: it is a necessity to ensure that Europe remains a place of peace, equality, and solidarity.
Today, Europe faces new challenges, but its anti-fascist roots continue to guide its decisions. The building of a more integrated Europe that protects fundamental rights and promotes social justice remains the primary goal of the European project. European integration, in fact, is not only about economic and political cooperation but also about strengthening the social and cultural bonds between its peoples, united by the desire never to forget the mistakes of the past and to protect the values of freedom and democracy.
In conclusion, a united Europe is, at its core, a response to fascism and all its forms. It is the result of a collective commitment to a continent that, despite being scarred by history, has chosen to look to the future with hope and unity, founding its identity on values of peace, freedom, and democracy. Anti-fascist roots are the lifeblood that nourishes the European project and will continue to guide it because, as the tragedies of the past teach us, memory is the first step to preventing the repetition of mistakes.