Schuman, Robert

(1886-1963)

   political figure

   Born in Luxembourg, Robert Schuman served as a Démocrate-populaire deputy from 1919 to 1940, and as undersecretary of state for refugees from March to July 1940. Deported at the beginning of World War II, he escaped and, after the war, served as an MRP (mouvement républicain populaire) deputy (1945-62) and minister of finances (June 1946-November 1947), then became premier (November 1947-48). He subsequently held the portfolio for foreign affairs (July 1948-January 1953). His ministry was marked by the beginnings of the Marshall Plan (1948) and by the rapprochement between France and the German Federal Republic (France gave up control of the Ruhr). Schuman was, with jean monnet, one of the major proponents of the reconstruction of Europe, helping to establish, through the Schuman Plan, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Defense Community (Paris Accords, 1952). Faced with the strong opposition of the RPF and the Communists to this latter project, he resigned. As minister of justice (February 1955-June 1956), Schuman dedicated himself to the European movement (1955), then to the European Parliament at Strasbourg (1958). He is the author of Pour l'Europe. See also European union.