Unit 4
Organisations, Competition and Environment
Lesson 25 - 4th/6th April 2000
Introduction to the European Union

Relevant Links Greece asks to join the euro And then there were 12. Greece has applied to join the single European currency, the euro. Britain seeks to stop Superstate Britain will seek to maintain a blocking mechanism on moves by France and Germany to form an inner core of European Union nations, Robin Cook, the Foreign Secretary, signalled yesterday. Joining euro 'will cost £36bn' Joining the European single currency would cost the UK more than £36bn, according to new figures.

What is the European Union?

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Find out about the "Not Just Straight Bananas" assignment

Lessons of History

• the Romans
• 1066 Battle of Hastings
• Battle of Agincourt
• the Napoleonic Wars
• The Great War
• The Second World War

The Romans

• The Romans were the first to attempt to unify Europe.

The Battle of Hastings

• 1066 saw the last invasion of mainland England by William the Conqueror.

Battle of Agincourt

• one of the many battles of the many wars between France and England… illustrated by Shakespeare’s play Henry V

The Napoleonic Wars

• Napoleon attempted to unify Europe but was eventually stopped by the Russian winter and Arthur Wellsley (later the Duke of Wellington).
• Of course as we all know Sharpe won the Napoleonic Wars...

The Great War

• The war to end all wars, saw major conflict across Europe, destruction, death and civilian casualties.
• The Western Front was a hell of mud and explosions.
• It also saw the use of aeroplanes, tanks, machines guns and submarines.

The Second World War

• this time Adolf Hitler tried to unify Europe, the result was millions dead, destruction across Europe (and the rest of the world) and the invention of nuclear bombs.

From Coal to Paella

• 1945 ~ Benelux Customs Union
• 1952 ~ ECSC
• 1957 ~ Treaty of Rome
• 1960s ~ "Non"
• 1973 ~ six become nine
• 1981 ~ then ten
• 1986 ~ then twelve

Benelux Customs Union

• Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg create a trade area, designed to reduce trade barriers and encourage trade between the three nations.

Treaty of Paris

• The European Coal and Steel Community was set up to remove trade barriers between France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg for coal, steel and iron ore.
• The UK joined in 1954.

Treaty of Rome

• well the ECSC worked so, the European Economic Community (EEC) was set up with the objective of creating a customs union and eventually a common market.
• Euratom was set up to free atomic energy trade.
• EC = EEC + ECSC + Euratom

The original six

• The original six were:: France; West Germany; Italy; Belgium; Netherlands; Luxembourg

The 1960s

• During this time the UK realised the folly of not joining the EC and made noises to see if they could join.
• Charles De Gaulle (President of France) kept saying "non".

six become nine...

• In 1973, three countries joined the EC.
• Ireland
• Denmark
• United Kingdom
• Norway thought about joining, but in a referendum, the people of Norway said no.

six become ten…

• In 1981, Greece joined the European Community.

ten become twelve…

• in 1986 Spain and Portugal join the European Community.

From Paella to EMU

• 1986 ~ Single European Act
• 1991 ~ unification of Germany
• 1992 ~ Maastricht Treaty
• 1993 ~ formation of European Union
• 1995 ~ twelve become fifteen
• 1997 ~ The Amsterdam Treaty
• 1999 ~ The Euro

Single European Act

• The SEA was designed to achieve a unified market in the EC for goods, services, labour and capital by the beginning of 1993.
• This was the most European legislation passed in the UK and paved the way for the single market.

Unification

• The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 resulted in the eventual unification of Germany.
• The collapse of the Iron Curtain may eventually result in a enlargement of the European Union as countries such as Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic attempt to join.

Maastricht Treaty

• Signed by all member states in 1993, officially known as the Treaty of European Union
• The Treaty agreed to even closer economic co-operation between the member states and eventually the adoption of a single currency (which became a reality in 1999).

Opting Out

• The UK opted out of the Social Charter and adoption of a single currency.
• The Labour government under Tony Blair signed the social charter in 1997.
• The Labour government is currently undecided about the single currency.
• The Conservatives are definitely saying no.

then there were fifteen

• Sweden, Finland and Austria took the plunge and joined the EU.
• Norway once more thought about joining, but once more in a referendum, the people of Norway said no.

The Amsterdam Treaty

• 1997 saw the signing of the Amsterdam Treaty whose main aims were
• reducing national vetoes,
• increasing the powers of the European Parliament
• dismantling of national borders

Euro and EMU

• On the 1st January 1999 the single currency became a reality and the Euro was born.
• The Euro is part of eventual Economic and Monetary Union.

Euro Timetable

• January 1, 1999 to January 1, 2002
• changeover to the euro by the banking and finance industry
• January 1, 2002
• start circulation of euro banknotes and coins
• complete changeover to the euro in public administration
• July 1, 2002
• cancel the legal tender status of national banknotes and coins

Importance of EU

• Why is the EU important?
• Why is the Euro important?
• Should we stay or should we go?

European Union Links
Click here for links on the European Union.

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