Formation of EU Flashcards
what is the EU
International organization – it is not a state
why was union set up
- reaction to world wars
- security against soviet threat
- political willingness
- economic development
union set up as reaction to world war?
originally created with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War
union set up as reaction to rising soviet threat?
cold war was catalyst for european integration
what was the political willingness to create the union?
cooperation and development between nations was regarded as crucial to replace the economic competition that was viewed as a major factor in the outbreak of wars between European nation states
what was the economic motivation to set up union?
EU was economically motivated (marshall plan)
what was the marshall plan? what did the US not want?
after WWII, US gave europe money “to get together in order to guarantee peace and start economical cooperation”. wanted stability in EU (didnt want russian dominated europe)
what was the main original intention of the EU? the second?
economic integration - wanted to integrate the markets to unify their markets in one market
also wanted a new european state
was the objective of european state achieved?
no because we dont have european ID (you are spanish or portugese)
what was the dominant political view in europe in 19th century? what did intellectual writers think?
nationalism
- construction of united EU was the only way to overcome state nationalism
after WWII what happened? in this context what happened?
europe was destroyed
- US scared about soviet union. gave money to rebuild continent, with some sort of national organization (marshall plan)
how did UK feel about creation of EU? did it want coooperation?
UK is a friend of europe but not europe
- UK wanted cooperation
what is regarded as starting point for european integration
schuman declaration
what is the schuman declaration?
proposed linking of the French and German coal and steel industries, which would be taken out of the hands of the nation states and put under the control of a supranational body
what was the point of linking french and german coal and steel industries (schuman declaration)?
not only help economic recovery, but would also remove the disastrous competition between the two states
- coal and steel were basis of country’s power
- intended to stop rivalry between the two countries
what was schuman declaration aimed at doing
Aimed at making future war impossible
- put control of coal in hands of supranational authority
after schuman declaration what did countries sign
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty in Paris 1951
is European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty still active
no, expired 2002
- enduring tasks and commitments were assumed by the EC Treaty and now the TFEU
what were the 6 founding countries
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
BFGILN
intention of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Treaty?
first step towards a ‘European Federation’
- common coal and steel market was to be an experiment which could gradually be extended to other economic spheres, culminating in a political Europe
after ECSC treaty, what 2 other treaties were signed? why?
EEC and EURATOM Treaties
preambles of 3 say common future
what is the EEC treaty? what did it create?
European Economic Community Treaty
- created common market based on the four freedoms of movement (goods, persons, capital and services)
what is the EAEC treaty? what was the goal?
European Atomic Energy Community -> EURATOM
goal of coordinating materials and research for peaceful use of nuclear energy
what EU institution holds most power? what does it represent?
Council of Ministers
- interests of member states
