5.1 History of the European Union

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Slide 1: Slide
AardrijkskundeMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 2

This lesson contains 19 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 55 min

Items in this lesson

Slide 1 - Slide

Slide 2 - Slide

How many years do you think the European union excists?

Slide 3 - Open question

History of the European Union
After studying this section, you are able to:
- Explain the reasons for the European cooperation
- Explain how European cooperation developed into the European Union

Slide 4 - Slide

Why was the EU formed?
A
to create the Euro
B
to be able to defend ourselves in the future war
C
to improve trade
D
to prevent another war

Slide 5 - Quiz

1945 - 1957
A peaceful Europe
  • After two Worls Wars: Never war again!
  • Idea of Robert Schuman, French minister of Foreign Affairs: form a cooperation. 
  • Schuman Declaration: Plan to start a cooperation between Germany and France for coal and steel production.

Slide 6 - Slide

1945-1957
  • European Community of Steel and Coal (ECSC) in 1950.
       -   The ESCS got control over coal and steel production (and thus over making weapons).
      -    France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg joined. 

  • Broader economic goals: Common market
    -   Free trade area
    -   European Economic Community (EEC) was born
         on 25 March 1957.

Slide 7 - Slide

1957 - 1973
  • The European cooperation was a success.
  • Trade barriers were lifted, trading between member states increased.
  • In 1967 EEC became European Community (EC): Economic cooperation was not the only goal anymore.
  • In 1973 United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark joined.

Slide 8 - Slide

Standards to join the European Community
  1. Being democratic (free elections)
  2. Having free economic system with competition, not regulated by the state.
  3. Having a government so well organised that it can implement all rules made by the EC.

Slide 9 - Slide

1973-1986: southern extension
  • After World War II some countries developed in a different way:
    Greece, Portugal and Spain were governed by miltary dictators.
  • In the 1970s these countries developed into democracies.
  • Greece, Portugal and Spain joined the European Community.

Slide 10 - Slide

Development
  • European Citizens were given the right to vote for members of the European Parliament.

  • Schengen Treaty:
    Not only products, but also people and money can be freely transferred to other member states.

Slide 11 - Slide

Which country is a Schengen member?
A
Ireland
B
Ukraine
C
Switzerland
D
Albania

Slide 12 - Quiz

1986 - 2004
  • In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, and the military-guarded border between Western and Eastern Europe disappeared.
  • 1991: the Treaty of Maastricht = EC changed its name to European Union. To have a common foreign policy and more cooperation in juridical matters.
  • Future common currency to make trade easier: Euro.

Slide 13 - Slide

1986 - 2004
  • By cooperation poorer areas could be developed.
  • 1 January 2002: introduction of the Euro in 12 countries of the EU. Now Euro in 19 countries.
  • In 2004 ten countries joined the EU.

Slide 14 - Slide

Put in the correct order:
ECSC
EEC
EU
1952
1957
1993

Slide 15 - Drag question

The EU under attack
  • Some countries think the EU is not democratic enough.
  • The EU costs too much to run.


  • Solidarity is the key value. 
    War in Ukraine, refugees, financial crisis


Slide 16 - Slide

Growth of the EU from 1958-now

Slide 17 - Slide

How many countries are a member of the EU?
A
15
B
27
C
28
D
35

Slide 18 - Quiz

What do you think?
Should we stay in the EU?
A
Yes
B
No

Slide 19 - Quiz