European Union: a Case StudyEuropean Union: a Case Study

the Evolution of the EU

By Heather Norris

McNeil High School

Austin, TX

the Evolution of the EU

By Heather Norris

McNeil High School

Austin, TX

United States of Europe?United States of Europe?

“If Europe were once united inthe sharing of its commoninheritance, there would be nolimit to the happiness, to theprosperity and glory which itsthree or four hundred millionpeople would enjoy. Yet it isfrom Europe that have sprung that series of frightfulnationalistic quarrels… which wehave seen even in this twentiethcentury… wreck the peace andmar the prospects of allmankind.”

Winston Churchill, 1946

“If Europe were once united inthe sharing of its commoninheritance, there would be nolimit to the happiness, to theprosperity and glory which itsthree or four hundred millionpeople would enjoy. Yet it isfrom Europe that have sprung that series of frightfulnationalistic quarrels… which wehave seen even in this twentiethcentury… wreck the peace andmar the prospects of allmankind.”

Winston Churchill, 1946

THE EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONTHE EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

A timeline of supranationalismA timeline of supranationalism

1939-1945: World War II1939-1945: World War II

Second World War fought in 25 years. Europe ravaged & destroyed by war again Two goals emerged:

To rebuild the countries’ shattered economies To prevent new conflict

Second World War fought in 25 years. Europe ravaged & destroyed by war again Two goals emerged:

To rebuild the countries’ shattered economies To prevent new conflict

1951: the European Coal and Steel Community1951: the European Coal and Steel Community What did this do?

France and West Germany began the unification process by signing a treaty that gave control of their coal and steel resources to a multinational group.

Italy and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg) later joined.

What did this do? France and West Germany began the unification process

by signing a treaty that gave control of their coal and steel resources to a multinational group.

Italy and Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg) later joined.

1957: the European Economic Community (a.k.a., the Common Market)1957: the European Economic Community (a.k.a., the Common Market) What did this do?

This alliance removed trade barriers, set common economic goals, and allowed people to live and work in any member country.

Within eleven years, trade quadrupled in member nations.

What did this do? This alliance removed trade barriers, set common

economic goals, and allowed people to live and work in any member country.

Within eleven years, trade quadrupled in member nations.

1967: the European Community1967: the European Community

What… another term? The ECSC and the EEC merged to form one

broader community, the European Community (EC).

This included only the original six countries to begin with.

What… another term? The ECSC and the EEC merged to form one

broader community, the European Community (EC).

This included only the original six countries to begin with.

1970s: European Community Expands1970s: European Community Expands New members:

Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom Important new changes within the EC:

1979: European Monetary System

New members: Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom

Important new changes within the EC: 1979: European Monetary System

1980s: Further Expansion & Changes in the European Community1980s: Further Expansion & Changes in the European Community New member in 1981:

Greece New members in 1986:

Spain and Portugal Important new changes within the EC:

1987: Single European Act set the outline for the later treaty that formally created the European Union

New member in 1981: Greece

New members in 1986: Spain and Portugal

Important new changes within the EC: 1987: Single European Act set the outline for

the later treaty that formally created the European Union

Early 1990s…Early 1990s…

Reunification! West and East

Germany reunified following the fall of the Berlin Wall

This became a microcosm of challenges to be faced by a broader joining of Eastern and Western Europe in later years

Reunification! West and East

Germany reunified following the fall of the Berlin Wall

This became a microcosm of challenges to be faced by a broader joining of Eastern and Western Europe in later years

European Community & European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreed to form the European Economic Area (EEA)

European Community & European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreed to form the European Economic Area (EEA)

1993: the European Union1993: the European Union Members of the EC become the

founding members of the EU: France, Germany, the

Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, & Portugal

New members in 1995: Austria, Sweden, & Finland

What else happened? European single market

achieved. European Union replaced other

agreements (EC) through the Maastrict Treaty.

The Schengen Agreement went into effect, eliminating border checks amongst members.=

Members of the EC become the founding members of the EU:

France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, & Portugal

New members in 1995: Austria, Sweden, & Finland

What else happened? European single market

achieved. European Union replaced other

agreements (EC) through the Maastrict Treaty.

The Schengen Agreement went into effect, eliminating border checks amongst members.=

Late 1990s: Important Happenings…Late 1990s: Important Happenings… New applicant countries in 1998 came mostly from

former Eastern bloc countries What about Frankfurt, Germany?

European Central Bank inaugurated. Common currency?

1999: Euro launched in eleven EU countries for banking and finance as the European Monetary Union.

New applicant countries in 1998 came mostly from former Eastern bloc countries

What about Frankfurt, Germany? European Central Bank inaugurated.

Common currency? 1999: Euro launched in eleven EU countries for banking

and finance as the European Monetary Union.

2002: the Euro2002: the Euro

And finally… Finland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal,

France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Greece went on the common currency

2002: the euro became legal tender and permanently replaced national currencies in EMU countries

And finally… Finland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal,

France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, and Greece went on the common currency

2002: the euro became legal tender and permanently replaced national currencies in EMU countries

2004: Expansion2004: Expansion

New members in 2004: Poland, Czech

Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Cyprus

New members in 2004: Poland, Czech

Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Cyprus

2007: the European Union Today2007: the European Union Today

New members in 2007: Bulgaria & Romania

Current candidate countries: Turkey, Macedonia, and

Croatia The rest of the former

Yugoslavia may apply in the future, as well as potentially Ukraine

New members in 2007: Bulgaria & Romania

Current candidate countries: Turkey, Macedonia, and

Croatia The rest of the former

Yugoslavia may apply in the future, as well as potentially Ukraine

Above:

http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/countries_europe_map.jpg

European Union ConstitutionEuropean Union Constitution

2002-2004: Work on drafting a constitution took place.

2005: Voting by member nations began… all must agree France & the

Netherlands said “no” at the beginning or the voting process

2002-2004: Work on drafting a constitution took place.

2005: Voting by member nations began… all must agree France & the

Netherlands said “no” at the beginning or the voting process

European Union ConstitutionEuropean Union Constitution

February, 2002: Convention work began Agreed upon in Brussels at a summit on June

18, 2004 May, 2005: Voting began Attempted to combine all the treaties and

agreements that the European Union is based on. Defined powers, possible actions, rights of veto

Constitution not approved, but lead to the Lisbon Treaty

February, 2002: Convention work began Agreed upon in Brussels at a summit on June

18, 2004 May, 2005: Voting began Attempted to combine all the treaties and

agreements that the European Union is based on. Defined powers, possible actions, rights of veto

Constitution not approved, but lead to the Lisbon Treaty

Major Goals of the EU (centripetal forces)Major Goals of the EU (centripetal forces) Improve economic cooperation Provides representation in European

Parliament Improve standard of living Remove barriers between countries through

common economic, banking, and foreign policy goals

Support economic goals through infrastructure investments Telecommunications, satellite systems,

railways, airports, port cities, highways

Improve economic cooperation Provides representation in European

Parliament Improve standard of living Remove barriers between countries through

common economic, banking, and foreign policy goals

Support economic goals through infrastructure investments Telecommunications, satellite systems,

railways, airports, port cities, highways

THE CURRENT UNIONTHE CURRENT UNIONMapping Activity for the European UnionMapping Activity for the European Union

Mapping ActivityMapping Activity

http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/index_en.htm

Supplies: European Union Map, notes, colored pencils, writing utensil, your brain

Directions: Shade in the member countries of the European

Union. Number the countries by groups based on when

they joined… ex.) first six get #1, next three get #2, etc.

Shade in the candidate countries. Using your readings and notes, answer the

questions (next slide) on the back of your map.

http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/index_en.htm

Supplies: European Union Map, notes, colored pencils, writing utensil, your brain

Directions: Shade in the member countries of the European

Union. Number the countries by groups based on when

they joined… ex.) first six get #1, next three get #2, etc.

Shade in the candidate countries. Using your readings and notes, answer the

questions (next slide) on the back of your map.

Mapping ActivityMapping Activity

Questions: Why is the European Union called a

supranational organization? How is the European Union an example of a

centripetal force? Use specific examples and evidence.

How do centrifugal forces exist in the European Union? Use specific examples and evidence.

How and where do devolutionary forces exist in the European Union?

Questions: Why is the European Union called a

supranational organization? How is the European Union an example of a

centripetal force? Use specific examples and evidence.

How do centrifugal forces exist in the European Union? Use specific examples and evidence.

How and where do devolutionary forces exist in the European Union?

ANALYZING THE EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONANALYZING THE EVOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Document Analysis StationsDocument Analysis Stations

Document Analysis StationsDocument Analysis Stations

Seven groups Supplies: documents, spiral, writing utensil,

dictionary, your brain Directions:

Draw a document analysis SOAPST chart in your spiral.

Each station will have a different document for you to complete a SOAPST analysis.

You will have 8 minutes per document.

Seven groups Supplies: documents, spiral, writing utensil,

dictionary, your brain Directions:

Draw a document analysis SOAPST chart in your spiral.

Each station will have a different document for you to complete a SOAPST analysis.

You will have 8 minutes per document.

Cartoon Analysis: the EU ConstitutionCartoon Analysis: the EU Constitution

Cartoon Analysis: the EU ConstitutionCartoon Analysis: the EU Constitution

Cartoon Analysis: ExpansionCartoon Analysis: Expansion

Cartoon Analysis: the Balancing ActCartoon Analysis: the Balancing Act

Cartoon Analysis: the Perfect Union?Cartoon Analysis: the Perfect Union?

European Union: a New Treaty?European Union: a New Treaty?

Read “Who Are You Going to Call?” Questions:

What was Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s opinion?

What was Gordon Brown’s point of view? What are two innovations in the treaty? Has the treaty been approved?

Read “Who Are You Going to Call?” Questions:

What was Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s opinion?

What was Gordon Brown’s point of view? What are two innovations in the treaty? Has the treaty been approved?

European Union: Standards of LivingEuropean Union: Standards of Living

Country GDP per capita

Unemployment Rate

Infant Mortality Rate

Fertility Rate

Literacy Rate

Life Expectancy

Luxembourg

$79,400 4.4% 4.62 1.78 100% 79 years

Italy $30,900 6.2% 5.61 1.3 98.4% 80 years

United Kingdom

$35,000 5.3% 4.93 1.66 99% 79 years

Poland $16,200 12.8% 6.93 1.27 99.8% 75 years

Romania $11,100 4.1% 23.72 1.38 97.3% 72 years

The European UnionThe European Union

V: Symbols of Europe TWEDYADWTS: The

European Union has been able to reach Winston Churchill’s vision of a united Europe. 7 minutes to write

V: Symbols of Europe TWEDYADWTS: The

European Union has been able to reach Winston Churchill’s vision of a united Europe. 7 minutes to write