What are the main features of the development of European energy supply after 1957?

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Coal was the main energy source in Europe. Therefore the European Coal and Steel Community was important. Quote: The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was a six-nation international organisation serving to unify Western Europe during the Cold War and creating the foundation for European democracy and the modern-day developments of the European Union. The ECSC was the first organisation to be based on the principles of supranationalism.[1] The ECSC was first proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950 as a way to prevent further war between France and Germany. He declared his aim was to 'make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible.' The means to do so, Europe's first supranational Community, was formally established in 1951 by the Treaty of Paris, signed not only by France and West Germany, but also by Italy and the three Benelux states: Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Between these states the ECSC would create a common market for coal and steel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Coal_and_Steel_Community The importance of oil was constantly growing after WW2. The Western multinationals ("The Seven Sisters") controlled ca.80 % of the oil production in the 1960s, while they today only control ca.10%. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sisters_(oil_companies) Note also the founding of IEA in 1974. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Energy_Agency Apr 23 09, 12:05 PM