The European Union

By

Alex Thistlethwaite

And

James Tolson

A Region Divided • Europe’s economy was crippled

after WWI• During the 1920’s authoritarian

government was put to and end in many European countries.

• Europe’s economy suffered even more in WWII.

• After WWII, Europe was divided into three groups.-Western Europe-Soviet Controlled & Central Europe

-Communist Yugoslavia

• Afterwards, the E.U. was formed.

The Beginning • 1950– Proposals for economic integrated

Europe

• Right after WWII– Europe had economic problems

1957- France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the

Netherlands, and Luxemburg formed the European Economic Community (EEC).

1) Later called European community

Goal of the EEC• Goal was to combine each country’s economy into a single market.

– Would make trading easier between the countries

– Similar to N.A.F.T.A. (the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada)

• Eventually more countries joined

• 1957

• Britain, Denmark, and Ireland joined.

• 1980’s

• Greece, Spain, and Portugal joined.

• 1990’s

• Meeting was held in Maastricht, Netherlands.

• Discussed the future of EC

• Resulted in the Maastricht Treaty

• Officially changed the EC to the European Union (E.U.)

The Maastricht Treaty

The European Union

• Has 33 countries

• Austria

• Belgium

• Bulgaria

• Croatia

• Czech Republic

• Cyprus

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Great Britain

• Greece

• Hungary

• Ireland

• Italy

• Latvia

• Lithuania

• Luxemburg

• Malta

• Morocco

• The Netherlands

• Norway

• Poland

• Portugal

• Republic of Macedonia

• Romania

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Turkey

Will soon have…

• Albania

• Montenegro

• Serbia

• Bosnia

• Herzegovina

• Capitol is Brussels

• Largest City is London, England

Formation of the E.U.

Currency Issues• When the EU was first

established, each country had its own form of money.

• On January 1, 2002, the Euro became the common form of money for most EU countries. – With the exception of

Denmark, Sweden, and the UK

Goals

Extended membership to other countries

Positive Changes• Helped establish a more

unified Europe – Cooperation between

members has increased– Trade is increased– EU members have also

adopted a common currency

– Adopted common economic laws

– Unified the coal and steel production of some countries

Traveling • The Chunnel

– Made for the Euro Star train • It can travel from

London to Paris (over 200 miles)

– 31 mile tunnel– Runs under the

English Channel– “Chunnel” = Channel

+ Tunnel

The Future

• Member nations are working together to make, enforce, and interpret the laws of the EU

Predictions

• Some believe that it will lead to the “United States of Europe”

The EndSONGS

“We Still Kill the Old Way” Lost Prophets“Last Train Home” Lost Prophets“Earthquakes and Sharks” Brandston“Mexican Radio” Authority Zero“Hey Mama” Black Eyed Peas“Gone Going” Black Eyed Peas Feat. Jack Johnson“I Will Follow You Into the Dark” Death Cab for Cutie “Wish You Were Here” Incubus“Snap Yo Fingas” Lil Jon“Welcome To the Black Parade” My Chemical Romance“Drive” Incubus“The Future Freaks Me Out” Motion City Soundtrack“99 Red Balloons” Goldfinger”