Effects of the European Union

1. Effects of the European Union Keely Krebs May 19, 2011 World History-7th

2. Issue Creation of the European Union (EU) in the early 1990’s and the effects that they had on member nations.

3. Background information • Many European leaders thought the only way to get peace after two world wars was to unite the two main nations: France and Germany. • The coal and steel industries were combined creating the European Coal and Steel Community(ECSC). • The ECSC was doing so well that within years there was a decision to incorporate other parts of the countries’ economies.

4. Background Information Continued • 1957: the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). • 1967: all three communities joined together to create the European Community(EC). • 1973:three more nations were added to the EC. • More integration occurred, including the creation of a common currency, which branched off into the creation of the European Union(EU).

5. Map • Today, the European Union consists of twenty-seven countries, they are highlighted above in blue.

6. Images • One of the biggest changes that the European Union has done is creating a new currency called the euro. • Many jobs were created as a result of the European Union being formed.

7. The Euro • There are eight different euro coins, ranging from one cent to two Euros. • In 2007, a new design was introduced to show the land that was gained in 2004. The design still has all of the elements of the original designs, including the twelve stars, however the map of the fifteen states is replaced by one showing the whole of Europe as a continent, without borders.

8. Facts • The EU decreased the unemployment rate. • The EU changed the currency to the Euro. • Prices of everyday items were greater than before after the creation of the Euro. • The Euro being created caused countless nations to be angered.

9. Argument • The Euro was unnecessary and a main cause of many economic downfalls that have occurred in the European’s economy.

10. Supporting Ideas • The Euro has caused extreme spending. • Many nations were suffering as a result of the Euro’s creation. • Nations had to make many sacrifices in order to meet the requirements to make the Euro.

11. Today • “All of this comes on top of the extreme pressures being placed on the euro, which is supposed to provide a common currency for the laid back Greeks and hard working Germans, and results on German banks having to finance Greek deficits.” • “America may have problems, but Europe is in much deeper trouble.” -Thomas Lifson

12. Quiz Questions • What was thought to have been the first step in the creation of the European Union? • Why were nations angered by the creation of the Euro?

13. Quiz Answers • Uniting the coal and steel industries of western Europe to create the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). • The Euro has caused extreme spending. Many nations were suffering as a result of the Euro’s creation. Nations had to make many sacrifices in order to meet the requirements to make the Euro.