“United in Diversity” European Union

Before The European Union Each country had own rules Each country had its own currency Countries charged taxes on goods imported from its neighbors making goods expensive for citizens to buy. Citizens were not free to move around Europe.

Start of the EU 1950 Robert Schuman makes famous Peace Speech. In speech makes suggestions to France about working with other countries to manage their coal and steel production.

Start of the EU (cont.) 1952 six countries formed European Coal and Steel Community Common market: countries reduce or remove trade barriers such as tariffs. By 1958 six countries created the European Economic Community. 1993, 12 common market countries formed the EU.

EU Headquarters Brussels, Belgium

EU Today Includes 27 countries and over 500 million European citizens. Main functions are to create jobs, protect citizens’ rights and preserve the environment.

Benefits of the European Union Goods/products move freely across borders. People have more choices about what to buy. (Why is this a good thing?) People are able to travel freely to other EU countries.

The Euro 2002 the Euro was adopted by the EU as the common currency. No longer do Europeans have to exchange money when they cross most borders.

Political Cooperation in the EU Before EU each nation was independent and set its own policies. EU does not replace the gov. of individual member countries. EU members have more power in world affairs than any one European country would have. Imagine Liechtenstein going up against the U.S.A

“United in Diversity.” EU created European anthem played without words. (Why?) Europe Day, May 9 th European Capital of Culture: EU picks 2 cities/year to highlight the culture of the country. watch?v=VelRNIpjF6I watch?v=VelRNIpjF6I