The history of the European Union

Why was the EU created?

The end of World War II in 1945

Slogan: “Never again!”

Europe after the war…

•60 million war victims•Great destructions - Europe was full of ruins•30 million people had to move•Poverty

Why was the EU created?

People of Europe needed peace!

An idea!

Jean Monnet Robert Schuman

Countries should stop

producing their own guns!

I agree!

Peace!Solidarity!

Democracy!

Step 1

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

Countries could no longer produce their own guns!

The factories that produced steel and coal would be run by people from all countries!

Step 2

European Economic Community (EEC)

Economic = money, business, jobs, trade

Common market

Free tradeNo borders

More and moreCountries are joiningEEC

Source: wikipedia

No borders!

Germany - France border marked by the River Rhine

Step 3

European Union (EU)

Countries started working together on more areas:– Environment– Build roads etc. Regional development– Foreign policy– Justice

European citizenship!

European Enlargement

Today: 28 member states – 500 million people – 24 languages