European integration is now in its sixth decade and the EU is growing in importance as a subject of historical research. This timely book brings together specially commissioned chapters in order to provide a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the origins and evolution of the EU. Written by leading scholars, The Origins and Evolution of the EU presents current scholarship on the history and historiography of the EU in an easily accessible way. The first part provides a chronological framework for the rest of the book and the next three parts explore particular events, issues and themes in the history of European integration. The final section covers the historiography of European integration.