THE EUROPEAN UNION The European Union Some slides taken for Europa: Gateway to the European Union http://europa.eu

The European Union: 493 million people – 28 countries

How has crossing country borders in Europe become easier?

The euro – a single currency for Europeans Can be used everywhere in the euro area 4Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common 4Notes: no national side EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro 4

The single market: freedom of choice Since 1993: 4 2.5 million new jobs 4 prices of phone calls and airfares halved Four freedoms of movement: 4 goods 4 services 4 people 4 capital © Getty Images 5

Free to move “Schengen”: 4 No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries 4 Controls strengthened at EU external borders 4 More cooperation between police from different EU countries 4 You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries © Corbis 6

What does supra mean? In the context of the EU? -”above” or “over” - EU govn’t/laws are above the individual nation’s

Define Centripetal & Centrifugal Forces -Centripetal: forces that bring things together - Centrifugal: forces that divide things

Who was Robert Schuman & what were his suggestions to Europe?

Founding fathers New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity… Konrad Adenauer Alcide De Gasperi Winston Churchill Robert Schuman Jean Monnet 10

Roots of the EU: European Coal & Steel Community Idea that Europe should work together to manage steel and coal production --> peace to Europe after WW2 European Coal & Steel Community = set a common market for all steel & coal products made trade free & easy! 6 countries: W. Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, & Netherlands

European Economic Community (EEC: 1958) Removed trade barriers for ALL good through Europe 1993: European Union created! :) Goals: promote peace & prosperity/economic well-being What it does creates jobs protect citizens' rights preserve the environment create EU programs

Eight enlargements European Union (’93) Eur. Coal & Steel Community EEC: Common Market (‘58) Eur. Coal & Steel Community 1952 1973 1981 1986 1990 1995 2004 2007 European Union (’93) 12 original members 13

The EU symbols http://youtu.be/zHtBaVliQ2Y 12 stars = 12 countries in 1993 (EU) Beethoven’s 9th Symphony The European anthem The European flag Europe Day, 9 May The motto: United in Diversity Schuman’s Speech http://youtu.be/zHtBaVliQ2Y 14

Improving health and the environment Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed EU action has helped bring us: 4 Cleaner bathing water 4 Much less acid rain 4 Lead-free petrol 4 Free and safe disposal of old electronic equipment 4 Strict rules on food safety from farm to fork 4 More organic and quality farming 4 More effective health warnings on cigarettes 4 Registration and control of all chemicals (REACH) © Van Parys Media

Economic Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?

Centripetal Forces in Economics (brings together) How does a common market unite Europe? Breaks down tariffs (taxes)  trade between countries is MUCH easier!! Goods are cheaper & easier to buy People can travel freely between countries to find work How does the creation of an EU trade bloc unite Europe? Trade bloc = group of countries that act together to increase influence over world trade (want to be more involved with trading with other countries) Trade bloc  outside nations (like USA!) want to do business with them  BETTER ECONOMY!!

Centrifugal Forces (pull apart) How do the differences between western & eastern nations divide the EU? More money is spent on the poorer countries in the east, which makes the West unhappy  Fear of outsourcing jobs from the west to the east (cheaper labor!) Eastern immigrants are coming to the western countries  fear of wage drop in the west What divisions are created by the use of the Euro? Not ALL countries use it (the United Kingdom uses the British pound) New EU countries aren’t allowed to use it until they prove to the EU that they’re strong enough to handle it

Political Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?

How does the development of a European citizenship unite Europe? Centripetal Forces How does the development of a supranational level of government unite Europe? Brings members together to focus on issues they have in common EU members are EU citizens….they’re united!! How does the development of a European citizenship unite Europe? They can live and work anywhere in the EU They can vote in any EU election They have ALL EU rights in every EU country EU Parliament = ONE GOVERNMENT

Centrifugal Forces How does the desire of European countries to keep their independence divide Europe? They have to give some power up when they join the EU They MUST carry out decisions made by the EU, even if the individual countries disagree How can the expansion of EU membership cause division? More people in EU  more (differing) opinions  harder for cooperation

Cultural Cooperation What are the centripetal & centrifugal Forces?

Centripetal Forces How has the European Union united Europe by promoting a common culture? European flag created  unity European national anthem is in the “universal language of music”—has no words! Europe Day on May 9 EU Wind Orchestra for young musicians How does increased travel unite Europe? Encourages people to learn other languages GOAL: learn two languages + your home language

Centrifugal Forces How do languages divide the EU? MANY languages  difficult communication All speeches and documents of the EU must be translated into 20 different languages! What are some other forces that continue divisions among European countries? Hard to put personal interests aside for EU benefit  competition and conflict between countries