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The devastating wars of the first half of the 20th century convinced European politicians that some form of cooperation was needed, so that future wars could be avoided. One of the main proponents was [[Robert Schuman]], foreign minister of [[France]]. Schuman proposed a European federation, and the first step would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. This led to the creation of the [[European Coal and Steel Community]], formed in 1951. The original six members were [[France]], [[West Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Netherlands]].
The devastating wars of the first half of the 20th century convinced European politicians that some form of cooperation was needed, so that future wars could be avoided. One of the main proponents was [[Robert Schuman]], foreign minister of [[France]]. Schuman proposed a European federation, and the first step would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. This led to the creation of the [[European Coal and Steel Community]], formed in 1951. The original six members were [[France]], [[West Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], and the [[Netherlands]].


The [[Treaty of Rome]] (1957) formed the first common European market, the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC). The EEC guaranteed “the four freedoms”: the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.
===Foundation===
The [[Treaty of Rome]] (1957) formed the first common European market, the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC). The EEC guaranteed "the four freedoms": the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. In 1967, the Economic Community, the Coal and Steel Community, and the [[European Atomic Energy Community]] were merged into the [[European Community]] (EC). The EC created a single [[European Commission|Commission]], a single [[Council of Ministers]], and the [[European Parliament]].


In 1967, the Economic Community, the Coal and Steel Community, and the [[European Atomic Energy Community]] were merged into the [[European Community]] (EC). The EC created a single [[European Commission|Commission]], a single [[Council of Ministers]], and the [[European Parliament]].
===Enlargement===
The early 1970s saw the first enlargement of the EC. The [[United Kingdom]], [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]], and [[Denmark]] joined. [[Norway]] was also invited into the EC, but the electorate rejected it in a referendum. The EC was further enlarged in the 1980s, when [[Greece]] joined in 1981 and [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] in 1986. [[Sweden]], [[Finland]], and [[Austria]] were admitted into the Union in 1995, but the Norwegians again declined to join.


The early 1970s saw the first enlargement of the EC. The [[United Kingdom]], [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]], and [[Denmark]] joined. [[Norway]] was also invited into the EC, but the electorate rejected it in a referendum.
The next round of expansion came in 2004, when [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Hungary]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Malta]], and [[Cyprus]] joined. This was the first time countries in [[Eastern Europe]] had joined the EU. In 2007, [[Romania]] and [[Bulgaria]] also joined the EU.


The EC was further enlarged in the 1980s, when [[Greece]] joined in 1981 and [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]] in 1986.
===Maastricht Treaty===
The [[Maastricht Treaty]] was signed in 1992, and transformed the European Community into the European Union. The [[Amsterdam Treaty]] of 1997 amended the Maastricht Treaty. It gave more power to the European Parliament, and was the beginning of the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]] (CFSP).


The [[Maastricht Treaty]] was signed in 1992, and transformed the European Community into the European Union.  
===Euro===
One of the most important events in the history of the European Union came in 1999, when eleven countries adopted the [[Euro]] as their common [[currency]]. Greece and Slovenia have since joined the [[Eurozone]].  


[[Sweden]], [[Finland]], and [[Austria]] were admitted into the Union in 1995, but the Norwegians  again declined to join.
==EU Constitution==
 
The 2004 [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe]] was ratified by 17 member countries, but was rejected by French and Dutch voters.
The next round of expansion came in 2004, when [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Poland]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Hungary]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Malta]], and [[Cyprus]] joined. This was the first time countries in [[Eastern Europe]] joined the EU.
 
The [[Amsterdam Treaty]] of 1997 amended the Maastricht Treaty. It gave more power to the European Parliament, and was the beginning of the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]] (CFSP).
 
One of the most important events in the history of the European Union came in 1999, when eleven countries adopted the [[Euro]] as their common [[currency]].  Two further countries have since joined the [[Eurozone]].
 
The 2004 [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe]] was ratified by 17 member countries, but was rejected by the French and Dutch voters.
 
In 2007, [[Romania]] and [[Bulgaria]] joined the Union.


==Member states==
==Member states==

Revision as of 01:22, 5 October 2007

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The European Union (EU) is a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization, which consists of 27 European states.[1]

History

The devastating wars of the first half of the 20th century convinced European politicians that some form of cooperation was needed, so that future wars could be avoided. One of the main proponents was Robert Schuman, foreign minister of France. Schuman proposed a European federation, and the first step would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. This led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, formed in 1951. The original six members were France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Foundation

The Treaty of Rome (1957) formed the first common European market, the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC guaranteed "the four freedoms": the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people. In 1967, the Economic Community, the Coal and Steel Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community were merged into the European Community (EC). The EC created a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament.

Enlargement

The early 1970s saw the first enlargement of the EC. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark joined. Norway was also invited into the EC, but the electorate rejected it in a referendum. The EC was further enlarged in the 1980s, when Greece joined in 1981 and Portugal and Spain in 1986. Sweden, Finland, and Austria were admitted into the Union in 1995, but the Norwegians again declined to join.

The next round of expansion came in 2004, when Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, and Cyprus joined. This was the first time countries in Eastern Europe had joined the EU. In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria also joined the EU.

Maastricht Treaty

The Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, and transformed the European Community into the European Union. The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 amended the Maastricht Treaty. It gave more power to the European Parliament, and was the beginning of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Euro

One of the most important events in the history of the European Union came in 1999, when eleven countries adopted the Euro as their common currency. Greece and Slovenia have since joined the Eurozone.

EU Constitution

The 2004 Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was ratified by 17 member countries, but was rejected by French and Dutch voters.

Member states

References

  1. ↑ CIA. The World Factbook: European Union. Accessed 2007-05-24.
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