Final answer:
The European Coal and Steel Community was created to manage heavy industry and prevent conflict by integrating economies through the free trade of coal and steel.
Step-by-step explanation:
The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was created to share the management of heavy industry (Option A) within Western Europe, and in particular, to create a common market for steel and coal among the six founding member states. These included West Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By removing trading restrictions such as customs duties, it aimed to foster economic integration and preserve peace following World War II.
This economic cooperation was crucial in the postwar period and led to further integration with the establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. The EEC expanded upon the models created by the ECSC, removing trade barriers far beyond just coal and steel, despite facing occasional resistance, such as from farmers seeking protectionist policies.