Towards European Unity

The Council of Europe Council of Europe created in 1948 Council of Europe created in 1948 European federalists hoped Council would quickly evolve into a true European parliament with sovereign rights, but this did not happen. European federalists hoped Council would quickly evolve into a true European parliament with sovereign rights, but this did not happen. Britain, with its empire and its “special relationship” with U.S., opposed giving any real political power—sovereignty—to the council. Britain, with its empire and its “special relationship” with U.S., opposed giving any real political power—sovereignty—to the council.

Cooperation on Coal and Steel Schuman Plan, 1950 created the European Coal and Steel Community Schuman Plan, 1950 created the European Coal and Steel Community Put forth by French statesman Jean Monnet and Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. Put forth by French statesman Jean Monnet and Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. Special international organization to control & integrate European steel and coal production. Special international organization to control & integrate European steel and coal production. West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, & Luxembourg accepted in West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, & Luxembourg accepted in Britain refused to enter, fearing separation from the Commonwealth Britain refused to enter, fearing separation from the Commonwealth Immediate economic goal: a single competitive market w/o national tariffs or quotas. Immediate economic goal: a single competitive market w/o national tariffs or quotas.

"The Six" By 1958 coal and steel moved freely among six nations of the European Coal and Steel Community By 1958 coal and steel moved freely among six nations of the European Coal and Steel Community Far-reaching political goal: bind six member nations so closely together economically that war among them would become unthinkable and virtually impossible. Far-reaching political goal: bind six member nations so closely together economically that war among them would become unthinkable and virtually impossible.

European Economic Community (EEC) Treaty of Rome, 1957 Treaty of Rome, 1957 Created European Economic Community (EEC) or the Common Market Created European Economic Community (EEC) or the Common Market Signed by same six nations in the Schuman Plan – “the Six” Signed by same six nations in the Schuman Plan – “the Six” First goal of treaty: Gradual reduction of all tariffs among the Six in order to create a single market almost as large as the U.S. First goal of treaty: Gradual reduction of all tariffs among the Six in order to create a single market almost as large as the U.S. Other goals: Other goals: –Free movement of capital and labor. –Common economic policies and institutions. –Tariffs were rapidly reduced and regions specialized in what they did best.

The EEC in the 1960s EEC encouraged hopes of political and economic union. EEC encouraged hopes of political and economic union. Union frustrated in 1960s by resurgence of more traditional nationalism. Union frustrated in 1960s by resurgence of more traditional nationalism. Euratom (European Atomic Energy Agency) also created by agency. Euratom (European Atomic Energy Agency) also created by agency. Communist states responded by forming their own economic association--COMECON Communist states responded by forming their own economic association--COMECON

De Gaulle and European Unity France steps back from European unity France steps back from European unity Bitter colonial war in Algeria resulted in the election in 1958 of Charles De Gaulle who established the Fifth French Republic and ruled as president until Bitter colonial war in Algeria resulted in the election in 1958 of Charles De Gaulle who established the Fifth French Republic and ruled as president until Withdrew France from "US controlled" NATO and developed own nuclear weapons program. Withdrew France from "US controlled" NATO and developed own nuclear weapons program. De Gaulle twice vetoed application of pro- American British to European Union. De Gaulle twice vetoed application of pro- American British to European Union. Britain did not enter until Britain did not enter until 1973.

Community Expansion With De Gaulle gone and more openness in Britain had the UK join in 1973 (along with Ireland and Denmark) With De Gaulle gone and more openness in Britain had the UK join in 1973 (along with Ireland and Denmark) Spain, Portugal and Greece joined in the 1980s Spain, Portugal and Greece joined in the 1980s Sweden, Finland, and Austria joined in the 1990s. Sweden, Finland, and Austria joined in the 1990s.

The European Union European Union (EU) went into effect in 1993 European Union (EU) went into effect in 1993 European Community (EC) renamed to European Union in 1996 European Community (EC) renamed to European Union in 1996 Chancellor Kohl and President Mitterrand sought to extend the EU to include a single European currency and a common defense and foreign policy Chancellor Kohl and President Mitterrand sought to extend the EU to include a single European currency and a common defense and foreign policy British prime minister Margaret Thatcher led opposition until she resigned in November 1990, replaced by conservative successor John Major who urged a limited federalism. British prime minister Margaret Thatcher led opposition until she resigned in November 1990, replaced by conservative successor John Major who urged a limited federalism.

Maastricht Treaty, 1991 Promised most radical revision of the EC since its beginning. Promised most radical revision of the EC since its beginning. Euro became the single currency of the EU in 1999 (went into circulation in 2002) integrating the currency of 11 western and central European nations. Euro became the single currency of the EU in 1999 (went into circulation in 2002) integrating the currency of 11 western and central European nations. Proposals to form common foreign and defense policies. Proposals to form common foreign and defense policies. Increased use of majority voting. Increased use of majority voting. Greater parliamentary consultation. Greater parliamentary consultation. By 1995 EU had 15 members By 1995 EU had 15 members By 2004 it had 25 members By 2004 it had 25 members