European Union

 

I. European Economic Community (EEC)

     A. Schuman Plan (1950)

               1. starts with Coal and Steel

               2. making up for the mistakes of the past

 

     B. Treaty of Rome (1957)

            1. customs union

            2. common agricultural policy

            3. Executive --Commission and Council of Ministers

            4. Legislature--European Parliament

            5. European Court

 

     C. Problem of national autonomy

               1. De Gaulle's vision of federal union

            2. Britain delays. Admitted in 1972

            3. Norway rejects membership altogether

 

II. Single Europe Act (1986)

     A. Integration of European economies

            1. free movement of capital, goods, people (1993)

            2. single currency, central bank (2002)

                        a. British and Danes opt out for now

 

III. Expansion of the EU

     A. Incorporation of former Communist Countries

            1. implications for both sides

            2. New Europe vs. Old Europe?

 

     B. Adopting a new Constitution

              1. Lisbon Treaty (signed 2007; ratified 2009)

 

     C. Question of Turkey

            1. European nation?

            2. Civil rights concerns

            3. significance of admitting a Muslim nation

 

IV. Problems facing Europe today

     A. Debt crisis and financial policy for Euro Zone

     B. Divisions fostered by new expansion

     C. Nationalist feelings vs. full integration

     D. Population decline

     E. Race and foreign workers