History of the European Union

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The United States of Europe

• Is a dream held by many different historical and political figures through history

• NAPOLEON• HITLER• CHURCHILL

• Though each interpretation may be wildly different and not linked through democracy!

Pre-EEC

• 1951 Treaty of Paris forms the European Coal and Steel Community

• 1956 Venice Conference paves way for the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community

1957

• 1957: the Treaty of Rome forms the EEC or the European Economic Community

• Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are the inaugural members.

1973-1993

• 1973 United Kingdom, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland granted membership

• 1981 Greece join

• 1986 Spain and Portugal allowed in

• 1992 Maastricht Treaty Signed

• 1993 European Union formed out of the old EEC

1995 - 2007

• 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden

• 2004 Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland

• 2007 Bulgaria and Romania

• 1957

• 1973

• 1981

• 1986

• 1995

• 2004

• 2007

History of entry into the EU

The Future

It is likely Turkey will be next to join as they have tried to become a member since 1987.

European Parliament

is the only directly elected EU body. It represents the people of the EU unlike the

Council of Ministers, which represents governments.

Elections held every 5 years since 1979The European parliament's powers have

steadily increased with each change of the EU treaties. Most new laws in member states are to implement European legislation which is amended and adopted by the European Parliament.

Parliament sits in Strasbourg and Brussels

European Single CurrencyThe Euro is the currency of

16 out of 27 members of the EU

In the UK this has been a bone of contention since it’s formation in 1999. The UK as with all other member states have promised to adopt the Euro ‘in due course’. However the strength of anti-European sentiment and the love for the GB Pound leaves the issue doubtful.

European ConstitutionIt was signed in 2004 by the 25 member states but

was subject to ratification.

Most of them did so, by parliamentary ratification or by referendum, but two member states (France and the Netherlands) rejected it in referenda.

The UK never had the opportunity to vote as the agreement was if one member rejected it they all had to!

European Flag

was designed by Arsène Heitz and Paul Lévy in 1955

European Anthem

• The popularly used European anthem is a work of legendary German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

• It is his 9th Symphony called ‘Ode to Joy’