European Studies 5N1444
1. The European Community was initially formed with aims of securing lasting peace and ending frequent warfare within Europe, most notably World War II which left the continent divided between the communist east and democratic west. Robert Schuman, the French Minister of foreign affairs at the time, therefore presented a plan for a common organisation of German and French coal and steel production which would subsequently expand across the rest of Europe to unite the nations both economically and politically. This resulted in the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957 and consisted of six nations: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. It had expanded to 12 countries following the demolition of the Berlin Wall and was thereafter established as the European Union (EU) which has now evolved to 28 member states as of 2013.
2. Its primary aims are to establish European citizenship which means people from member states are also therefore citizens of the EU and free to live and work within the 28 nations; to ensure freedom, security and justice allowing Europeans to live in peace and safety with minimal threat of war; to promote economic and social progress which involves the single market, the euro, environmental protection and regional/social development; to assert Europe’s role in the world by working as a group helping Europe to put forward its ideas to international countries such as the United States.
3. No fewer than eight major treaties exist within the European Union: Treaty of Paris which created an alliance in coal and steel production meaning nations could no longer prepare its armies discreetly; Treaty of Rome which set up the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom); Brussels Treaty which consolidated the European institutions; Single European Act which reformed the aforementioned institutions in preparation for Portugal and Spain’s membership; Maastricht Treaty which prepared for the European
2. Its primary aims are to establish European citizenship which means people from member states are also therefore citizens of the EU and free to live and work within the 28 nations; to ensure freedom, security and justice allowing Europeans to live in peace and safety with minimal threat of war; to promote economic and social progress which involves the single market, the euro, environmental protection and regional/social development; to assert Europe’s role in the world by working as a group helping Europe to put forward its ideas to international countries such as the United States.
3. No fewer than eight major treaties exist within the European Union: Treaty of Paris which created an alliance in coal and steel production meaning nations could no longer prepare its armies discreetly; Treaty of Rome which set up the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom); Brussels Treaty which consolidated the European institutions; Single European Act which reformed the aforementioned institutions in preparation for Portugal and Spain’s membership; Maastricht Treaty which prepared for the European
Bibliography: www.europa.eu www.historiasiglo20.org www.europeanhistory.about.com www.citizensinformation.ie