The United Economic States of Europe

With nationalism and Euroscepticism on the rise, mainly due to economic issues, there is a need for more research about the topic of European integration. But the European economies were not just politically brought together by the EU, Napoleon also attempted to conquer the entirety of the continent. Yet, there is only little knowledge about his contribution. Therefore, this thesis will answer the question: how did Napoleon contribute to the process of European economic integration, between 1804 and 1814, and how does his approach differ from the way the EU contributed to this process, as stated by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992? By studying the Berlin Decree, and the Continental System that followed, this thesis will examine the contribution of Napoleon to the process. Discussing the different zones within the First French Empire and their own specific way of being integrated, it can be concluded that Napoleon only integrated his regions based on the cultural and economic value to France. This conclusion can be made by studying regions like the Rhineland and Belgium. Furthermore, through an extensive research of the Treaty of Maastricht, this thesis will analyze the different ways that the original members of the European Union have contributed to European economic integration. By examining the different levels of contribution, it will highlight the different contributions and motivations of the different countries. Ranging from resisting integration to creating the framework of the Treaty of Maastricht, this thesis will study the contributions of countries such as Denmark, Italy and France.