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The European UnionThe European Union
Geography of EuropeGeography of Europe
Europe is a region of peninsulas.Europe is a region of peninsulas.– The entire region is a peninsula.The entire region is a peninsula.
Landforms in EuropeLandforms in Europe– Mountains, uplands, & lowlands.Mountains, uplands, & lowlands.
Alps – highest mountains in Europe.Alps – highest mountains in Europe. North European Plain – most extensive North European Plain – most extensive
landform in Europe.landform in Europe. Rivers – Link Europe’s interior to the Rivers – Link Europe’s interior to the
seas.seas.
Vegetation in EuropeVegetation in Europe
Once covered by forests & wild Once covered by forests & wild grasslands.grasslands.
Today, forests cover about 1/3 of Today, forests cover about 1/3 of Europe.Europe.– ScandinaviaScandinavia (the area covered by (the area covered by
Norway, Sweden, & Finland) – have Norway, Sweden, & Finland) – have some of the oldest trees in this area.some of the oldest trees in this area.
Climate in EuropeClimate in Europe
3 Climate Types3 Climate Types– Temperate midlatitude.Temperate midlatitude.
Northwestern Europe.Northwestern Europe.
– Mediterranean.Mediterranean. South Europe.South Europe.
– Warm, dry summers & mild, rainy winters.Warm, dry summers & mild, rainy winters.
– Humid continental.Humid continental. Eastern Europe & Northern Europe.Eastern Europe & Northern Europe.
– Summers are hot & winters are longer & Summers are hot & winters are longer & colder the further north and east you go in colder the further north and east you go in Europe.Europe.
Climate in EuropeClimate in Europe
Affected by North Atlantic Drift.Affected by North Atlantic Drift.– Warm water current that carries water Warm water current that carries water
from Gulf of Mexico along the eastern from Gulf of Mexico along the eastern coast of North America and across the coast of North America and across the North Atlantic Ocean.North Atlantic Ocean.
– This changes Europe’s climate.This changes Europe’s climate.– Some concern that North America’s global Some concern that North America’s global
warming could weaken the North Atlantic warming could weaken the North Atlantic Drift and change Europe’s climate.Drift and change Europe’s climate.
Making it much cooler?Making it much cooler?
Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues
Air, seas, & rivers are heavily polluted.Air, seas, & rivers are heavily polluted. Europe leads the world in response to Europe leads the world in response to
global warming.global warming.– Fear from recent abnormal weather in recent Fear from recent abnormal weather in recent
years.years. Europeans use large amounts of Europeans use large amounts of
resources.resources. Also contribute ¼ of the world’s Also contribute ¼ of the world’s
greenhouse gas emissions.greenhouse gas emissions.– But one European consumes one half the But one European consumes one half the
energy of the avg. North American.energy of the avg. North American.
Air PollutionAir Pollution
Heavy in the North European Plain.Heavy in the North European Plain.– Lots of industry located there, heavy Lots of industry located there, heavy
populations, & transport routes.populations, & transport routes. Acid rain a big problem due to Acid rain a big problem due to
pollution.pollution. Former Communists states lead the Former Communists states lead the
way in air pollution.way in air pollution.– Central & North Europe.Central & North Europe.
Water PollutionWater Pollution
Europe is surrounded by water.Europe is surrounded by water. Pollutants that enter Europe’s Pollutants that enter Europe’s
rivers, streams, & canals rivers, streams, & canals eventually reach the surrounding eventually reach the surrounding seas.seas.
Oceans can handle the pollutants, Oceans can handle the pollutants, but what about landlocked seas?but what about landlocked seas?– Baltic, Mediterranean, & Black seas.Baltic, Mediterranean, & Black seas.
Water PollutionWater Pollution
34 countries with coastlines on 34 countries with coastlines on Europe’s many seas.Europe’s many seas.
Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea– 320 million people live in Europe.320 million people live in Europe.– Lots of pollutants flow into sea.Lots of pollutants flow into sea.
Sewage (over half of it untreated).Sewage (over half of it untreated).
– Flow of water from sea to ocean.Flow of water from sea to ocean. Water takes 80 years to leave sea.Water takes 80 years to leave sea.
– What about growth in Africa?!What about growth in Africa?!
European HistoryEuropean History
Practice of agriculture & animal Practice of agriculture & animal husbandry.husbandry.– Spread from Tigris & Euphrates river valleys.Spread from Tigris & Euphrates river valleys.
First civilizationsFirst civilizations– Greeks (800-86 B.C.) & Romans (100 B.C.-450 Greeks (800-86 B.C.) & Romans (100 B.C.-450
A.D.)A.D.)– Left lasting legacies.Left lasting legacies.
Dark Ages (450 A.D.– 1000 A.D.)Dark Ages (450 A.D.– 1000 A.D.)– Muslim rise in Europe.Muslim rise in Europe.
Medieval Period (450 A.D. – 1500 A.D.)Medieval Period (450 A.D. – 1500 A.D.)– FEUDALISM!!!FEUDALISM!!!
European HistoryEuropean History
Medieval Period (cont.)Medieval Period (cont.)– Renaissance.Renaissance.
Humanism.Humanism.
– Protestant Reformation – challenged Protestant Reformation – challenged religion.religion.
European Colonialism (1400 – 1600 European Colonialism (1400 – 1600 A.D.)A.D.)– Globalization & Mercantilism.Globalization & Mercantilism.
Revolution Age (1600 – 1900 A.D.)Revolution Age (1600 – 1900 A.D.)– Industry & Democracy.Industry & Democracy.– New ideas are born (esp. in gov’t.)New ideas are born (esp. in gov’t.)
European HistoryEuropean History
World WarsWorld Wars– WWI (1914 – 1918 A.D.)WWI (1914 – 1918 A.D.)– WWII (1941 – 1945 A.D.)WWII (1941 – 1945 A.D.)
The Cold War (1945 – 1991 A.D.)The Cold War (1945 – 1991 A.D.)– US & Soviet Union competed for world US & Soviet Union competed for world
dominance.dominance.– Soviet Union imposed its idea of socialism.Soviet Union imposed its idea of socialism.
Europe TodayEurope Today
Transition stage from 2 events in Transition stage from 2 events in 90’s.90’s.– Break up of Soviet Union.Break up of Soviet Union.– Rise of the European Union.Rise of the European Union.
Could bring about…Could bring about…– Peace, prosperity, & world Peace, prosperity, & world
leadership to Europe.leadership to Europe.
History of European History of European UnionUnion Closer economic ties would prevent other Closer economic ties would prevent other
world wars.world wars. MAY 9, 1950 – BIG DAYMAY 9, 1950 – BIG DAY
– Robert Schuman proposes Schuman Robert Schuman proposes Schuman Declaration.Declaration.
Create the European Coal & Steel Community Create the European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC).(ECSC).
6 Countries – Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, 6 Countries – Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Luxembourg, & the Netherlands.Luxembourg, & the Netherlands.
– Brings to life the idea of the European Union.Brings to life the idea of the European Union. Now May 9Now May 9thth is celebrated as the EU’s bday. is celebrated as the EU’s bday.
History of European History of European UnionUnion
March 25, 1957 – Treaty of RomeMarch 25, 1957 – Treaty of Rome– Build a European Economic Community (EEC).Build a European Economic Community (EEC).
Eliminated certain tariffs against one another.Eliminated certain tariffs against one another. Promote mutual trade & cooperation.Promote mutual trade & cooperation.
19731973– Denmark, Ireland, & the United Kingdom Denmark, Ireland, & the United Kingdom
decide to join.decide to join.– New social & environmental policies were New social & environmental policies were
implemented.implemented.– 1975: European Regional Development Fund 1975: European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF).(ERDF).
History of European History of European UnionUnion
June 1979June 1979– 11stst elections to the European Parliament. elections to the European Parliament.– Elections held every 5 years.Elections held every 5 years.
1981-19861981-1986– Greece, Spain, & Portugal join.Greece, Spain, & Portugal join.
19851985– Jacques Delors – published a White Paper Jacques Delors – published a White Paper
setting out a timetable for completing the setting out a timetable for completing the European single market by Jan. 1, 1993.European single market by Jan. 1, 1993.
Single European Act – signed in Feb. 1986 & came Single European Act – signed in Feb. 1986 & came into force on July 1, 1987.into force on July 1, 1987.
History of European History of European UnionUnion
19891989– Berlin Wall falls.Berlin Wall falls.– German unification in 1990.German unification in 1990.
December 1991December 1991– Soviet Union ceases to exist.Soviet Union ceases to exist.– The Fall of the Soviet Union — The Fall of the Soviet Union — History.comHistory.com
Video Video Treaty on European UnionTreaty on European Union
– Came into force on Nov. 1, 1993.Came into force on Nov. 1, 1993.– Officially created the European Union.Officially created the European Union.
History of European History of European UnionUnion
January 1January 1stst, 1995, 1995– Austria, Finland, & Sweden join.Austria, Finland, & Sweden join.
19991999– A single currency was introduced for financial A single currency was introduced for financial
transactions.transactions. EURO.EURO.
– 2002: notes and coins were issued to 12 2002: notes and coins were issued to 12 countries.countries.
March 2000March 2000– EU adopted the ‘Lisbon strategy’.EU adopted the ‘Lisbon strategy’.
Modernizing the European economy and allowing it to Modernizing the European economy and allowing it to compete in the world market.compete in the world market.
History of European History of European UnionUnion
May 1May 1stst, 2004, 2004– Major expansion in membership.Major expansion in membership.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, & Cyprus.Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Malta, & Cyprus.
– Jan. 1, 2007Jan. 1, 2007 Bulgaria & Romania join.Bulgaria & Romania join.
Membership Membership ConditionsConditions Legal RequirementsLegal Requirements
– Open to all European countries.Open to all European countries. Must be willing to sign founding treaties & take Must be willing to sign founding treaties & take
on the full body of EU law.on the full body of EU law.
The Copenhagen CriteriaThe Copenhagen Criteria1.1. Stable gov’ts (dem.), rule of law, human Stable gov’ts (dem.), rule of law, human
rights, & respect/protection of minorities.rights, & respect/protection of minorities.
2.2. Functioning market economy.Functioning market economy.
3.3. Take on obligations from EU & have a Take on obligations from EU & have a public admin. that can apply & manage EU public admin. that can apply & manage EU laws.laws.
Membership Membership ConditionsConditions The accession processThe accession process
1.1. European Commission: negotiates w/ European Commission: negotiates w/ country to gain entry.country to gain entry.
2.2. Then European Council take a vote.Then European Council take a vote.
3.3. Then European Parliament must give Then European Parliament must give positive vote by an absolute majority.positive vote by an absolute majority.
During years of negotiation, During years of negotiation, candidate countries receive EU aid.candidate countries receive EU aid.
Membership Membership ConditionsConditions Geographic BarriersGeographic Barriers
– What are the European borders?What are the European borders?– Is everyone going to be involved?Is everyone going to be involved?
Other ConstraintsOther Constraints– Treaty of Nice (2003)Treaty of Nice (2003)
A Union w/ a max of 27 members.A Union w/ a max of 27 members.
– Can it work w/ 30 or more countries?Can it work w/ 30 or more countries?– Official language?Official language?
Lose nationality/identity?Lose nationality/identity?
How does the EU How does the EU work?work? Triangle body.Triangle body.
– The Council of the European Union.The Council of the European Union. Represents the national governments.Represents the national governments.
– The European Parliament.The European Parliament. Represents the people.Represents the people.
– The European Commission.The European Commission. Independent body of EU governments Independent body of EU governments
that upholds the collective European that upholds the collective European interest.interest.
The Council of the The Council of the European UnionEuropean Union EU’s main-decision making body.EU’s main-decision making body. Member states take turns to hold Member states take turns to hold
Council Presidency.Council Presidency.– 6 month period.6 month period.
Council has legislative power.Council has legislative power.– Shares w/ Parliament.Shares w/ Parliament.– Shares responsibility for adopting EU Shares responsibility for adopting EU
budget.budget.
The Council of the The Council of the European UnionEuropean Union 3 ways for making decisions.3 ways for making decisions.
– Simple majority vote.Simple majority vote.– A ‘qualified majority’ vote.A ‘qualified majority’ vote.
Depending on number of attendees.Depending on number of attendees.
– Unanimous vote.Unanimous vote. The type of decision depends on The type of decision depends on
the issue being discussed.the issue being discussed. Meets 4 times a year.Meets 4 times a year.
The European The European ParliamentParliament Elected body that represents the Elected body that represents the
EU’s citizens.EU’s citizens. Exercises political supervision Exercises political supervision
over EU’s activities.over EU’s activities.– Takes part in legislative process.Takes part in legislative process.
Representatives are elected Representatives are elected every 5 years.every 5 years.
The European The European ParliamentParliament
Takes part in legislative work at 3 Takes part in legislative work at 3 levels.levels.– Cooperation procedure.Cooperation procedure.– Assent procedure.Assent procedure.– Co-decision procedure.Co-decision procedure.
The European The European CommissionCommission Members are elected for 5 years.Members are elected for 5 years. Answers to the Parliament.Answers to the Parliament.
– Can resign if a censure is passed.Can resign if a censure is passed. Must ensure that the regulations Must ensure that the regulations
& directives adopted by the & directives adopted by the Council & Parliament are being Council & Parliament are being implemented.implemented.– If not, can send to Court of Justice. If not, can send to Court of Justice.
Other Institutions & Other Institutions & BodiesBodies The Court of JusticeThe Court of Justice
– Ensure EU law is complied with.Ensure EU law is complied with. The Court of AuditorsThe Court of Auditors
– Checks that all money & costs Checks that all money & costs occurred lawfully.occurred lawfully.
– EU budget is managed soundly.EU budget is managed soundly.
Other Institutions & Other Institutions & BodiesBodies The European Economic & Social The European Economic & Social
CommitteeCommittee The Committee of the RegionsThe Committee of the Regions The European Investment BankThe European Investment Bank
– Provides loans & helps EU’s less Provides loans & helps EU’s less developed regions & helps make developed regions & helps make businesses more competitive.businesses more competitive.
Other Institutions & Other Institutions & BodiesBodies The European Central BankThe European Central Bank
– Manages the euro & EU’s monetary Manages the euro & EU’s monetary policy.policy.
