1. The European Union
Chapter 6, Section 3

2. Western Europe Today
All national leaders share their power with elected lawmakers.
Citizens take part in government through voting.

3. The European Union (EU)
Many countries in Western Europe belong to a group called the European Union.
At first, the countries joined so that they could trade with one another.
Now the EU is becoming a loosely- formed political unit.

4. The European Union (EU) (Cont’d)
Many former communist countries wanted to join for economic and political reasons.
Eastern European countries cannot automatically join.
Former communist countries must make legal, economic, and environmental improvements.

5. The European Union

6. Regional Governments
In Western Europe, each nation also has a regional government.
Governments are similar to individual states in the United States.
Governments in Western Europe enjoy self-rule and participation in the political process.

7. The Euro
In January, 2002, many Western European countries started using the Euro.
All countries use the same bills.
Each country designs its own coins, which reflect the national symbol of the country.
Before that, all countries had their own currencies.
Now people don’t have to exchange money each time they cross the border.

8. European Central Bank
Controls the money supply for the European Union.
Headquartered in Frankfort, Germany.

9. Improved Trade
To improve trade, EU members eliminated tariffs on the goods they trade with one another.
Tariffs—duty or fee that must be paid on imported or exported goods, and that makes them more expensive.
EU members also lifted border controls.
Goods and services now flow freely among member nations.
EU members are also sharing their wealth; the richer countries are helping the poorer countries.

10. A Higher Standard of Living
Member nations hope that increased trade and shared wealth will give all citizens of the EU a higher standard of living.
Standard of Living (or quality of life)—is based on the availability of goods and services.
Standard of living is linked to literacy; the higher the standard of living, the greater the literacy rate.

11. Additional Benefits
The members of the EU are helping the countries of Eastern Europe raise their environmental standards.
The EU runs programs that train people for jobs.
Citizens of the EU can work and vote anywhere in the EU—not just their own countries.
The Court of Justice protects the rights of all EU citizens.

12. Additional Benefits

13. Cultural Diversity
Countries within the EU still maintain their unique cultures.
These traditions include:
Different languages
Unique foods
Certain ways of doing business
Special games and celebrations
Some nations are a mix of several cultures.

14. City Life
Some of the world’s most famous and exciting cities are in Europe.
These cities are major centers for the arts, business, and learning.
The cities are centuries old, and Europeans work hard to preserve them.
Most cities have excellent public transportation systems, such as subways, buses, trains, or streetcars.
Sidewalk cafes are also popular.

15. Country Life
The European countryside is also popular, especially among vacationers.
Many families have been farming or raising animals on the same land for generations.
Some families live in houses that their families have owned for hundreds of years.

16. Questions?