Introduction to the European Union – History of European Integration (Week 2)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the history and evolution of the European Union.

Schuman Declaration

1950 plan to place coal and steel production under a single authority, proposing pooling production to prevent war and laying the groundwork for the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community)

First supranational European community established to integrate coal and steel industries (began 1952).

High Authority

ECSC’s executive body, the precursor to the European Commission.

Jean Monnet

French civil servant and economist who championed supranational European integration and led the ECSC project.

Treaty of Paris (1951)

Treaty that established the ECSC and began its development in 1952.

Six original members

France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg – founding members of the ECSC and later of the EEC/EU.

Common Assembly

Parliamentary body created for ECSC, a forerunner to the European Parliament.

Court of Justice

Judicial body within the ECSC framework ensuring treaty interpretation and compliance.

EEC (European Economic Community)

A 1957 successor/extension of integration aiming for a common market among its members.

Euratom

European Atomic Energy Community established in 1957 to develop nuclear energy cooperation.

Treaties of Rome (1957)

Foundational treaties creating the EEC and Euratom and outlining institutional frameworks.

Council voting (majority voting)

France pushed for majority voting in the Council of Ministers, shifting some power away from the Commission.

UK application 1961; De Gaulle veto 1963

Britain sought EC membership; Charles de Gaulle vetoed in 1963, blocking expansion at the time.

Empty Chair Crisis (1965)

France withdrew from Council meetings in protest of supranational policies and proposals.

Luxembourg Compromise

1966 agreement allowing veto power on issues deemed vital by member states, slowing down majority voting progress.

1973 UK joins EC

First major enlargement of the European Community.

Schengen Agreement (1985)

Agreement among initial signatories to remove border controls between member states.

Jacques Delors

President of the European Commission starting in 1985, a leading figure in deepening European integration.

Single European Act (1986)

Plan to complete the Single Market by 1992; expanded Parliament’s powers and harmonized policies.

Charter of Fundamental Social Rights of Workers (1989)

A charter affirming workers’ social rights within the Community.

Enlargement: Greece 1981; Spain & Portugal 1986

Major enlargements extending membership to Greece (1981) and to Spain/Portugal (1986).

Maastricht Treaty (1992)

Created the European Union and established the three-pillar structure: EU, CFSP, JHA; introduced European citizenship and convergence criteria.

Three-pillar structure

European Community (supranational), Common Foreign and Security Policy (intergovernmental), and Justice and Home Affairs (intergovernmental).

European citizenship

Rights granted to EU citizens under Maastricht, expanding moving, residence, and participation possibilities.

Convergence criteria

Conditions (economic/monetary) for joining the euro/EMU (e.g., inflation, deficits, debt, exchange rate stability).

Parliament power over Commissioners

Maastricht strengthened the European Parliament’s role, including procedures to veto Commissioners.

The euro (single currency)

European monetary union established to enable a single currency across participating states.

CFSP

Common Foreign and Security Policy; intergovernmental framework for EU foreign policy.

JHA (Justice and Home Affairs) cooperation

Intergovernmental cooperation on cross-border law enforcement, asylum, immigration, and judicial matters.