The European Union

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

 The Time of Television and Computers

6.2 The European Union

Goal of the lesson

At the end of the lesson you can describe how and why the European Union was created, how it grew and what its current challenges are

How much do you already know
about European Cooperation?

010

How was Western Europe doing in 1945 and why?

Establishment of the ECSC

Cooperation is necessary

1951: European Coal and Steel Community

• Higher production
• Smaller chance of war
• Together we're stronger against communism (SU)

Charles De Gaulle -

France

Conrad Adenauer -

Germany

The main aim of founding the ECSC was to prevent:

1. competition
2. war
3. food shortages
4. economic crises

Success leads to the EEC

New European Economic Community plans:

• One market with free trade between member states
• Shared tariffs for the rest of the world.
• Board: European Commission in Brussels.

Europa verenigt voor de voortgang en vrede

And grows into the European Union

• Even more integration.

The EU becomes popular:

• Poor countries: financial help
• Richer countries: easier trading

Creation of its own currency in 2002: Euro

Is there still enough political unity?

Countries often pursue their own interests.

Countries often have their own policy.

Charles de Gaulle

How does the war in Ukraine influence this?

What is the correct order?

1. ECSC, EU, EEC, euro
2. euro, EU, EEC, ECSC
3. ECSC, EEC, EU, euro.
4. ECSC, EEC, euro, EU

Which of the following countries is a member of the European Union?

1. Finland
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Turkey

Current challenges:

1. Refugee crisis/War in Ukraine
2. The European Union is doing too much/costs too much or does too little
3. Climate change adaption (€1.000.000.000.000 is needed)

Which of these three is the most important in your opinion? Work with a partner to exchange arguments first.

1. Refugee crisis
2. Doing/costing too much/doing too little
3. Climate change adaption

Goal of the lesson

At the end of the lesson you can describe how and why the European Union was created, how it grew and what its current problems are