Some of The More Unlikely Proposed European Unions

Map created by everythingaboutmapsThe map above shows some of the more bizarre proposed Unions in European history.

About Each Proposed Union

1) Poland–Czechoslovakia (1939)

• What was proposed:
  A federal union between Poland and Czechoslovakia—often referred to as a potential “Polish-Czechoslovak Federation.”
• Historical context:
  • The idea took root mainly in the late 1930s, right before World War II broke out.
  • The proposal was driven by concerns over growing German aggression. Poland and Czechoslovakia explored possibilities of deeper political, military, and economic cooperation, hoping it would strengthen their collective security.
• Why it did not materialize:
  • German invasions and the onset of WWII disrupted the plan.
  • Diverging political interests and the rapidly changing war situation made a formal union impossible.

2) Benelux (1944)

• What was proposed (and realized):
  A customs union among Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The term “Benelux” is simply a blend of the three countries’ names.
• Historical context:
  • The Benelux Customs Convention was signed in 1944 in London, toward the end of WWII.
  • Officially went into effect in 1948 and evolved into the Benelux Economic Union in 1958.
• Significance:
  • Considered one of the foundational steps toward broader European integration, eventually influencing the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and, later, the European Union (EU).
  • Even today, “Benelux” exists as a cooperative framework with political, economic, and cultural dimensions.

3) Franco–British Union (1944)

• What was proposed:
  A political union between France and Great Britain—essentially merging the two nations into one sovereign entity during WWII.
• Historical context:
  • Originally floated in June 1940, when France was on the verge of defeat by Germany. Britain proposed it as a last-ditch effort to keep France in the war.
  • Revived in various forms in 1944 (toward the end of the war) as part of discussion on post-war cooperation.
• Key idea:
  • A single government, shared citizenship, and joint war efforts against Nazi Germany.
• Outcome:
  • Never fully realized, partly because of political complexities, questions of sovereignty, and changes in France’s own situation after the liberation.

4) Balkan Federation (1865, 1919, 1946)

• What was proposed:
  Various plans to unite Balkan states—such as Bulgaria, Serbia (later Yugoslavia), Romania, Greece, and sometimes Albania—into a single federation.
• Multiple timeframes:
  • 1865: Early nationalist movements and intellectuals in the Balkans considered a united front to push back against Ottoman and Habsburg empires.
  • 1919 (post-WWI): A renewed push for unity, spurred by the collapse of empires and redrawing of national borders.
  • 1946 (post-WWII): Under communist influence, particularly in Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, there were again discussions about merging into a single federation to unite Slavic peoples and possibly other Balkan countries.
• Why it did not happen:
  • Rivalries among the Balkan states, differing political visions (monarchy vs. republican vs. communist systems), and influence from major powers often derailed these plans.

Which one do you wish had worked out?