European Integration and Ireland's Links with Europe Flashcards
Explain three reasons for European integration
• The legacy of war: War had devastated Europe and killed millions on not one but two occasions in the previous 30 years. Many wanted to replace this competition between states with cooperation.
In particular, bringing France and Germany together would help to prevent future conflict.
• The Cold War: The leaders believed that only a united Europe could compete with the two superpowers. With the Soviet takeover of Central and Eastern Europe it was considered essential that the Western countries work together to stop the spread of communism.
• Economics: Europe needed to rebuild after World War. Increased trade and cooperation amongst states would boost their economies and help them to improve living standards for their people.
When did Ireland join the ECC
Joined in 1973 along with Britain and Denmark
Tell me about the council of Europe
The Council included ten states. It was set up to promote common ideals and values, and to further European unity amongst its members. Its most important action was to pass the European Convention on Human Rights and set up the European Court of Human Rights to rule on it.
Tell me about impact of the European coal and steel community
The Schuman Plan led to the Treaty of Paris in 1951. This was signed by West Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux countries and set up the European Coal and Steel Community. Beginning in 1952, it was a huge success: steel production increased significantly and industrial production grew at twice the previous rate. More importantly, it was the first time that these states had agreed to hand over some of their power to an outside body.
Explain three impacts the EU has an Irish membership
• Irish businesses have access to a market of over 450 million people. Irish trade with the rest of Europe is 150 times what it was in 1973.
• Irish citizens can move, work and live within any of the other member states.
• Between 1973 and 2014, Irish farmers received €54 billion from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
What Is the single European act 1986?
The aim of this treaty was to create the Single Market: a single economic area that would remove all the remaining barriers to the movement of money, people, goods and services amongst the member states.
Name three things that Maastricht Treaty created
• created the European Union (EU)
• established the rules for a single currency, the euro, which was introduced in 2002
• created the Social Charter to increase the rights and protections of workers.
What are three successes of the European Union?
• It achieved its fundamental aim: peace has been maintained in Europe.
• It is the largest trading bloc in the world.
• Workers have better protections, often due to European laws, than anywhere in the world. Equal pay for women, minimum wages, maximum working hours and health and safety measures are all safeguarded by Europe. EU law is founded on the principles in the European Convention of human rights
Identify three problems of the European Union
• Some people feel that they are losing their unique national identities within the EU.
• The EU has failed to develop a common foreign policy.
• Member states sometimes feel they are forced to do things by the EU.
The two main policies of the EEC
• Common market: a free trade area created by eliminating restrictions (tariffs, custom duties) on trade on all goods amongst members. It has common external tariffs for goods coming into the free trade area. The intention was to increase trade between members and therefore help them grow their economies.
• Freedom of movement: removal of restrictions on the movement of money, people, goods and services amongst member states.
Tell me about the Treaty of Rome in 1987 which led to the development of the EEC
The six members signed the Treaty ofRome in 1957 and the European Economic community came into being on 1 January 1958 (France,Germany,Luxembourg,Belgium,Italy and the Netherlands). The EEC would seek to promote closer economic cooperation and trade amongst its members. It had three core aims:
• to promote economic activity
• to raise the standard of living
• to forge ‘an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe’.
Tell me about the European Commission
The European Commission: runs the EEC day to day and implements the treaties. It is made up of nominees by the member states - the commissioners.
Tell me about the council of ministers
• The Council of Ministers: national ministers meet regularly to discuss common issues and make decisions.
Tell me about European Parliament
The European Parliament: represents the people of Europe. Its members were initially nominated by national parliaments but since 1979, they have been directly elected. At first, it had very limited powers but it has grown over time to have equal powers with the Commission and Council.
Explain the term concept European unity
European unity is the process of political, legal, social, regional and economic integration of states wholly or partially in Europe, or nearby
Mention one reason why the Maastricht Treaty was significant.
It created the European Union and a common currency
Tell me about Robert Schumann and his move towards an European unity
Robert Schuman was a key leader in moving towards European unity. After his ideas of a united Europe known as the Schuman plan the government of the Benelux states and France Italy and Germany signed treaty establishing the European coal and steel community in Paris on April 18, 1951. The ECSC was the most important step towards Europe unity. It introduced many new things like significant increase of steel production, industrial production grew at twice the previous rate and most importantly is this was the first time that these powerful countries had agreed to hand over some of their power and independence to an outside body. Bringing these countries closer together and forming strong lasting bonds.
Robert Schuman later served as minister of justice before becoming the first president of the European Parliament assembly which bestowed on him the title father of Europe. He is considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union. The Schuman district of Belarus including a Metro/railway station a tunnel as well as the square is named in his honour. Around the square can be found various European institutions including the headquarters of the European commission which has a statue of Robert Schuman outside it commemoration him and showing the impact and influence he had towards the creation of the European unity in 1945 to 1992
