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A brief history of the European Union
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A brief history of the European Union

The Formation and Evolution of the European Union

Origins Post-World War II

  • The European Union's formation was driven by treaties among European nations after World War II, aiming to foster peace and cooperation.
  • In 1951, six countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, France, West Germany) formed the first union focused on coal and steel production to prevent future conflicts.

Expansion of Economic Cooperation

  • By 1957, these nations established the European Economic Community (EEC), facilitating trade beyond coal and steel and promoting easier movement for people across member states.
  • As membership grew, some citizens protested against joining the EEC due to concerns over national independence; new applicants had to be approved by existing members.

UK’s Membership Journey

  • The UK applied for EEC membership but faced rejections before finally joining in 1973. This marked a significant step towards greater participation in European affairs.

Legislative Developments

  • In 1986, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher signed the Single European Act to reduce trade barriers further; however, there was public dissent regarding close ties with Europe.
  • The Maastricht Treaty in 1993 renamed the EEC as the EU and enhanced governmental cooperation in defense and justice while working towards economic integration.

Currency Changes and Enlargement

  • The euro was introduced in 2002 as a common currency for twelve EU countries; only Denmark and Sweden opted to retain their currencies.
Video description

A brief history of the EU from the end of World War Two to the present. This has been recorded for use in classrooms when learning about the EU and should be used in conjunction with other resources. Find out more about how the EU institutions work: http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/about-us/eu_institutions.html