1. A United States of Europe – Examining European Unity
14.6

2. Countries Working Together???
United Nations
Security Council – 12 nations (5 permanent members) to police the world
General Assembly – everybody is represented

3. Post-WWII Political Snapshots
Christian Democrats (CDU) become popular party – had faith in democracy and cooperation
France
Charles de Gaulle establishes Fourth Republic with weak presidency
Fifth Republic (created after Algeria issues) gives president much more power

4. Post-WWII Political Snapshots
Britain
Clement Attlee takes Britain toward welfare state – paying for citizens’ well-being
Trend continues until 1980s and massive spending cuts by Thatcher
West Germany
Konrad Adenauer begins democratic rule with CDU leading the way
Seek the moral path after moral disaster of WW2

6. THEORIES OF EUROPEAN UNITY
POSSIBILITIES
Political
Military
Economic

7. Political Unity? Not so much.
Council of Europe (1948)
Dreams of a united Europe through one Parliament never realized
Britain did not play along

8. Economic Unity? Definitely.
European Coal and Steel Community (1950)
France (their idea), WG, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg
Wanted a single competitive market with no tariffs or quotas
Became known as The Six…goal is to be so binding that war will never occur between them
European Economic Community (EEC)
Created by the Treaty of Rome – the Common Market
The Six are involved – looking to create a single economic market w/ no tariffs
Encouraged political and economic unity all over Europe

9. France Balks at Unity
Charles de Gaulle withdraws France from NATO…sees the USA as too controlling
Vetoes the admittance of Great Britain into EEC…Brits are too friendly with America

10. European Union (1992)
Maastrict Treaty (1991) – Creation of European Union
Members will have a single currency (the euro) by 2002
Proposals for common foreign and defense policies
Union grows to 27 members by 2007