5.1 History of the European Union

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

How many years do you think the European union excists?

History of the European Union

After studying this section, you are able to:

- Explain the reasons for the European cooperation

- Explain how European cooperation developed into the European Union

Why was the EU formed?

1. to create the Euro
2. to be able to defend ourselves in the future war
3. to improve trade
4. to prevent another war

1945 - 1957

A peaceful Europe

• After two Worls Wars: Never war again!
• Idea of Robert Schuman, French minister of Foreign Affairs: form a cooperation. 
• Schuman Declaration: Plan to start a cooperation between Germany and France for coal and steel production.

1945-1957

• European Community of Steel and Coal (ECSC) in 1950.

       -   The ESCS got control over coal and steel production (and thus over making weapons).

      -    France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg joined. 

• Broader economic goals: Common market
  -   Free trade area
  -   European Economic Community (EEC) was born
       on 25 March 1957.

1957 - 1973

• The European cooperation was a success.
• Trade barriers were lifted, trading between member states increased.
  
• In 1967 EEC became European Community (EC): Economic cooperation was not the only goal anymore.
  
• In 1973 United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark joined.
  

Standards to join the European Community

1. Being democratic (free elections)
   
2. Having free economic system with competition, not regulated by the state.
3. Having a government so well organised that it can implement all rules made by the EC.

1973-1986: southern extension

• After World War II some countries developed in a different way:
  Greece, Portugal and Spain were governed by miltary dictators.
• In the 1970s these countries developed into democracies.
  
• Greece, Portugal and Spain joined the European Community.

Development

• European Citizens were given the right to vote for members of the European Parliament.
  
  
• Schengen Treaty:
  Not only products, but also people and money can be freely transferred to other member states.

Which country is a Schengen member?

1. Ireland
2. Ukraine
3. Switzerland
4. Albania

1986 - 2004

• In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, and the military-guarded border between Western and Eastern Europe disappeared.
  
• 1991: the Treaty of Maastricht = EC changed its name to European Union. To have a common foreign policy and more cooperation in juridical matters.
  
• Future common currency to make trade easier: Euro.

1986 - 2004

• By cooperation poorer areas could be developed.
• 1 January 2002: introduction of the Euro in 12 countries of the EU. Now Euro in 19 countries.
• In 2004 ten countries joined the EU.

Put in the correct order:

ECSC

EEC

EU

1952

1957

1993

The EU under attack

• Some countries think the EU is not democratic enough.
  
• The EU costs too much to run.
  
  
  
• Solidarity is the key value. 
  War in Ukraine, refugees, financial crisis

Growth of the EU from 1958-now

How many countries are a member of the EU?

1. 15
2. 27
3. 28
4. 35

What do you think?
Should we stay in the EU?

1. Yes
2. No