I do not know what the point of the European Single Market was. In fact, I'd be interested to hear someone with the know-how tell me. Was it to create a trading

I do not know what the point of the European Single Market was. In fact, I'd be interested to hear someone with the know-how tell me. Was it to create a trading zone where the same rules applied to everyone? Or was it just supposed to ease trade across borders by creating some kind of customs framework and abolishing tariffs, etc.? I'm kind of glad someone asked that because the answer is pretty interesting, and not surprising given history. It started as the European Steel and Coal Community as a way for nations that had been at war with one another to pool together power and steel resources (those engines of war) to make it harder or impossible for war to recur. It was France and Germany who essentially created it, and it included the Benelux countries. I believe creating a common economic powerhouse against the, at that time, giant newly invincible United States was a factor too. This was all in the backdrop of WWII. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Coal_and_Steel_Community https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Coal_and_Steel_Comm...)