http://cicsworld. centerforics http://cicsworld.centerforics.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Telescope1.gif Great art, architecture, philosophy, music, and inventions are part of Europe’s history. http://images.travelpod.com/tripwow/photos/ta-00bf-c95a-0c20/ancient-greek-history-crete-greece+12920238537-tpfil02aw-16998.jpg http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/40/4019/OXMWF00Z.jpg http://www.creativitypost.com/images/made/images/uploads/create/mozart4_610_300_s_c1_center_center.jpg

But not everything has been great. http://ww1.canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ruins.jpg But not everything has been great. World War I and World War 2 started in Europe. World War 1 deaths: 14 million cost: $337,000,000,000 ($337 billion) World War 2 deaths: 52 million cost: $1,500,000,000,000 $1.5 trillion) http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/03_The-World-since-1900/07_World-War-Two/pictures/devastated-Nuremberg_1945.jpg

Countries used steel to build weapons, and coal powered their factories to build those weapons. So after World War 2, former enemies joined together to use coal and steel for peaceful work.

The European Coal and Steel Community was formed The European Coal and Steel Community was formed. The goal was "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible." The name “European Union” was not used until 1993. But this was the “infant” version of the E.U. http://www.clker.com/cliparts/Z/Y/6/M/Z/g/baby-md.png http://www.liberatormagazine.com/kiotd/coalsteelcommunity8222011.jpg http://www.liberatormagazine.com/kiotd/coalsteelcommunity8222011.jpg

The six countries that formed the organization ended tariffs on coal and steel traded between each other. https://t2.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/62/46/49/240_F_62464976_DFkV8QQnQ3Zrbz1V1hDem5779jwMO5DR.jpg http://www.critfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/coal_train.jpg

Other European countries saw the Coal and Steel Community benefits, and they wanted to join. By 1981, there were 10 members. http://www.teteamodeler.com/culture/europe/dictiofiche57a.asp

And still more countries kept joining. http://www.teteamodeler.com/culture/europe/dictiofiche57a.asp

The 1993 name change to “European Union” showed how the countries did not just want to cut tariffs. They had other shared problems, such as:  the environment  education  rights of refugees  safe food in stores http://www.theprisma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Refugiados-y-buscadores-de-asilo4.jpg https://img.rt.com/files/news/20/c8/90/00/europe-air-pollution-health.jpg http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/fresh-produce-pamela-geiger.jpg

After the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union, lots of eastern Europe countries were finally free. Many joined the EU. http://www.teteamodeler.com/culture/europe/dictiofiche57a.asp

The EU now has 28 member countries The EU now has 28 member countries. The newest member, Croatia, joined in 2013. http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/images/content/eu_and_china/2015033002.png http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2013/07/01/croatia-eu.jpg

Right now, 5 more countries want to join Right now, 5 more countries want to join. (They are called “candidate countries.”) BUT… http://one-europe.info/user/files/Writing%20Contest/EU_Candidate_Countries.png

You can’t just say, “Hey, I’m in!” The other EU countries have rules to decide whether or not to let you even get to apply. summit.sfu.sa

To apply, a country must prove it: has stable democracy 2.is ruled by laws 3. protects human rights 4.has an economy based on competition (not like communist economies, which are run by government) 5. is willing to pay taxes to EU

Turkey has wanted in since 1987. And they’re still waiting. http://culturefusion.blogspot.com/

Arguments against Turkey joining the EU:  97% of Turkey’s land in actually in Asia – not Europe.

 Turkey’s democracy is rather weak. • For example, they often do not protect minority rights. • They do not always protect women’s rights. • They have a bad habit of throwing news reporters in jail if they don’t like what the reporters say or write. http://hellenicleaders.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Turkey_Journalists_protest_cropped1.jpg http://ivan-2-google.blogspot.com/2011/09/political-and-human-rightsurkey-world.html

protect rights of all religions, but most people are Muslim. Culturally, they are different from other European countries. They are more “Middle Eastern” and most of the people are Muslims. They have laws to protect rights of all religions, but most people are Muslim. http://cdn.aquila-style.com/wp-content/gallery/yazthespaz-honeymoon/04-the-beautiful-girls-i-met-at-that-cafe-in-istanbul-what-are-the-odds-of-finding-some-of-my-viewers-sm.jpg

In 2002, the EU started using a single kind of currency: the Euro. http://www.alt-m.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Euro.jpg?6ed0ec

Each coin has an EU side and a nation side. 2 Euro coin France Ireland Germany https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/coins/2euro/html/index.en.html

But any new EU member has to accept the Euro. UK and Denmark are the only countries that didn’t replace their money with the Euro. But any new EU member has to accept the Euro. https://gocardless.com/guides/images/sepa-countries-map.jpg

Some benefits for EU members:  Free Trade: There are no tariffs on imports and exports between EU countries. Laws about business and trade are the same for all EU countries, making trade easier. Businesses are making more money! http://slimbeleggen.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Eurozone.jpeg

So they can skip the long lines in Customs.  EU citizens can travel and work in ANY country in the EU. No special permission or paperwork is required. So they can skip the long lines in Customs. http://eliteessayservice.com/images/quwyzoha.jpg

 EU college students can easily apply to colleges in ANY country in the EU. http://collegeuniversitytoday.blogspot.com/2014/08/paris-university-college.html

So there’s no need to change money between countries.  EU currency – the Euro – is accepted in every EU country except Denmark and the United Kingdom (UK). So there’s no need to change money between countries. http://windhorsetour.com/shanghai-attraction/shanghai-hongqiao-airport

 Environment: If an EU country pollutes the air, water, or land of another EU country, or seriously pollutes their own country, the EU Court of Justice can put them on trial. Right now, the Court is forcing Spain to clean up 61 illegal landfills. http://futurenviro.es/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/vertedero-ilegal-de-residuos.jpg

 Fighting crime: In most countries if they want to arrest a criminal who has fled to another country, it’s very hard! The other country does not have to cooperate. But in the EU, criminals can be easily arrested in even if they flee to a different EU country. http://www.lawfighter.com/images/handcuffs400.jpg

So the EU is perfect, right? Well. . . . https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR-7g7va188VGB99KThD7srMZ06YZsawPPDPqd5GhHzKTqxU3Baow