Part I General Aspects, 1 Origin and Further Development

Subject(s):

1815 to World War I — World War I to World War II — Since World War II — Democracy — Rule of law

This chapter traces the history of the Council of Europe (CoE). The narrative begins during the twentieth century, at the interwar period — which witnessed both timid and more forceful steps towards organisations aiming at peace through law and offered a stage for more specific plans concerning Europe. By discussing the international political situation during this period, the chapter foregrounds the eventual founding of the CoE and the preparations it entailed. The chapter then presents an overview of the CoE, its policies and its structure, before moving the discussion forward to the Eastern enlargement of the CoE as well as its more recent developments. Finally, the discussion ends by noting some challenges currently faced by the CoE.