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European Union
Notes & Timeline
Basics
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Supranational organization
More economic than political
27 current members; expansion to 31
500 million; 31% of World’s GDP
Cleavages
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Agricultural states vs. industrial/service
states
Rich vs. poor
East vs. west
Accomplishments
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Reduction in trade barriers
Increase in travel & tourism
Setting interest rates & fiscal policies
Failure
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Agricultural subsidies
Structure
A.
B.
C.
D.
Commission-initiate & implement
policies
Council-approve Commission’s
proposals
***Parliament-amend proposals
Court of Justice-review
Map
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Original 6: W. Germany, France, Italy,
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
No Interest: Norway, Switzerland
1950-Schuman Plan
A.
B.
French minister Robert Schuman
Coordinate coal & steel industries of
W. Germany & France
1957-Treaty of Rome
A.
B.
Establishes the EEC (European
Economic Community) or Common
Market
Original 6
1965-EC (European
Community)
A. Go beyond economics (peaceful use
of atomic energy)
1973-UK joins
1992-Maastricht Treaty
A.
B.
European Union
Monetary policy, citizenship, national
security, environmental protection,
justice
2002-Euro becomes
common currency (17 of 27)
2004-European
Constitution
A.
B.
France & Netherlands reject
UK fails to hold referendum
2017-UK referendum on
EU & Euro