Just for the start.
The main point is the historic background of MR Schumann or better the historic background of the region he was born. I grew up in the same region and it is more or less clear or at least understandable that the EU was “founded” by someone from this region.
back to the EU. The goal of the EU was integration to create a better future in terms of peace stability and economic benefits for the people. The goal was a united Europe. The tool were a economic integration at the beginning to create trust and understanding.
The European Coal and Steel Community is the best example for that. The tool was economic but the goal was a political goal.
The Euro is a another example. A lot of germans were very skeptical to give up their symbol of power and success the german mark but now everybody likes the Euro because they see the advantages of a common currency beside the economic advantages for the european companies.