The European Union Notes

c. Analyze the importance of Europe’s coastal location, climatic characteristics, and river systems regarding population, economic development, and world influence.  

Quick Facts

• The EU is a confederation in Europe that allows the individual countries to retain their own governments while cooperating on other issues.

• There are currently 27 member nations in the EU

• The EU was primarily a western European organization prior to 1989 because of communism in the Soviet Union.

• The EU often tries to work together when dealing with world affairs.

How many member nations are currently in the EU?

A.) 20

B.) 14

C.) 27

D.) 35

Enlargement: from six to 27 countries

1952 1973 1981 1986

1990 1995 2004 2007

Which one of these countries has always been part of the European Union?

A.) Sweden

B.) Spain

C.) Italy

D.) Greece

Recent History of the EU

Criteria set for a country to join the EU:• democracy and rule of law• functioning market economy• ability to implement EU laws

Formal negotiations on enlargement begin

Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement

10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

1992

1998

2002 2004

2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU

CandidatesCroatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey

© R

eude

rs

Why do you think there were a lot of new members joining after 1992?

A.) The United States told them to

B.) The original members finally extended an invitation

C.) The United Nations became involved

D.) The Soviet Union had broken up, ending Communism

Current EU Info

•The Lisbon Treaty=most recent treaty

•The intention of this treaty is to make the EU: •More efficient •More democratic •More transparent•More united on the world stage•More secure

•Challenges facing the EU now•Globalization•Demographics•Climate change

Benefit 1: The Euro

EU countries using the euroEU countries not using the euro

Can be used everywhere in the euro area

Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common Notes: no national side

The Euro is

A.) the official language of Europe

B.) a form of money used in the EU

C.) the name of the parliament in the EU

D.) a term that has to do with the population of Europe

Benefit 2: Single Economy

Four freedoms of movement:

goods

services

people

capital

© G

etty

Im

ages

The single market has led to:

significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including internet access and airfares.

40% drop in price of phone calls from 2000-2006

2.8 million new jobs

How has a single market economy been beneficial to the EU? (Hint: there are 2 answers)

A.) Creation of jobs

B.) Increase in prices

C.) Increase in internet usage

D.) Allowed more freedom of movement

E.) Decline in economic growth

Benefit 3: Free to move

“Schengen”:

No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries

Controls strengthened at EU external borders

More cooperation between police from different EU countries

You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries

© C

orbi

s

Because of the EU, people do not have as many restrictions when traveling through member countries.

A.) True

B.) False

Benefit 4: Expanded education

Over 2 million young people have studied or pursued personal development in other European countries with support from EU programmes:

Comenius: school education

Erasmus: higher education

Leonardo da Vinci: vocational training

Grundtvig: adult education

Youth in Action: voluntary work and

non-formal education

© G

etty

Im

ages

Benefit 5: Environmental Action

Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed

EU action has helped bring:

Cleaner bathing waterMuch less acid rain Lead-free petrol Free and safe disposal of old electronic equipmentStrict rules on food safety from farm to fork More organic and quality farming More effective health warnings on cigarettesRegistration and control of all chemicals (REACH)

© V

an P

arys

Med

ia

Which one of these shows ways the EU has tried to improve the environment? (Hint: choose 2 answers)

A.) Shut down all nuclear plants

B.) Invent new hydroelectric cars

C.) Improve water quality

D.) Put health warnings on super fatty foods

E.) Created strict food safety rules