Key figures in the establishment of the European Union include leaders like Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, and Konrad Adenauer. Their visionary ideas contributed significantly to post-World War II reconciliation and economic integration among European countries. The foundation of the EU began with the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, aimed at unifying coal and steel production to prevent conflicts. As the EU evolved, it became a platform for fostering political cooperation, economic collaboration, and promoting stability, leading to the eventual formation of a single market and common currency, the Euro.