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This article reflects on the creation of an integrated European political entity arising from the achievements of the European nation state beyond its national boundaries. The most powerful driving force behind integration right up to Helmut Kohl's generation was the desire to put an end to the history of bloody wars in Europe. Another reason was to bind Germany firmly to Europe in order to mitigate the great historic distrust towards the politically insecure nation at the heart of Europe which was soon restored to economic health. The third consideration was an interest in the economic unification of Europe.