Beyond the Cold War European Unity vs. Ethnic Rivalry

OVERVIEW In this lesson we examine: Factors towards unity Britain’s dilemma Towards further unity Obstacles to unity

Context Question: Why was WWI initially called, “the war to end all wars”? What name might be appropriate for WWII? Factors towards unity

1952: France, West Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg created the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) The ECSC regulated coal and steel production and managed shifts in resources 1957: The Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community – free trade and movement What effect would economic cooperation have on the possibilities of future conflict?

Context Question: In what ways was Britain traditionally different from the other European states in terms of its society, economy, and international affairs? Britain’s dilemma

During the 1960s, Britain’s dilemma in terms of joining the EEC was: If they joined, they would: Be turning their backs on the Commonwealth markets Lose control over domestic policy No longer be a major world power If they didn’t joined, they would: Fall behind the success of the EEC Lack enough influence over the superpowers Why might France be opposed to expansion of the EEC?

Despite French opposition to expansion, the EEC welcomed new members: 1973: Britain, Ireland (Eire) and Denmark 1981: Greece 1986: Spain and Portugal

Between the 1970s and 1980s, increased unemployment and inflation led calls for reform of the EEC. Beginning in 1981, the European Parliament began discussions on full economic and political unity In 1992, the EEC became the European Union (EU) What is the likelihood of full European political unity? Why? Toward further unity

Context Question: What factors became the catalyst that ignited WWI? Obstacles to unity

After Tito’s death in 1980 and shortly after the dissolution of the USSR in 1989, Yugoslavia broke up into separate states: 1991: Slovenia and Croatia separate 1992: Serbia and Montenegro form the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Nationalists attempted to expand their influence against minorities in their states: : War between Serbia and Croatia : Civil war in Bosnia- Herzegovina © Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Microsoft ® Encarta ® © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The wars of Yugoslavia’s succession were marked by three significant features: They happened mainly in highly developed states They were highly racist and characterized by “ethnic cleansing” – killing or forcing minorities out of mixed ethnic areas They made little distinction between soldiers and citizens

The wars in the former Yugoslavia exposed weaknesses of European unity: Germany recognized Croatia and Slovenia without consulting the EU US involvement was required to help end the conflicts

What major reasons existed for Europe to consider political and economic union? What type of unity first occurred and which countries were involved? Why did Britain not initially join the EEC? How did nationalism threaten European unity? SUMMARY QUESTIONS