European Integration and Romanian Culture Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing the historical development, treaties, institutions, and symbols of the European Union, alongside key currents in modern Romanian culture.

European Unity in Antiquity

A historical concept of European unity based on the shared values of Greco-Roman culture.

European Unity in the Middle Ages

A period in which the unifying element across Europe was the Christian religion.

European Unity in the Modern Era

An era marked by attempts to impose the values of the French Revolution across the whole of Europe.

Barriers to European Unity in the Contemporary Era

World War I, the economic crisis, totalitarian regimes, and World War II, all of which prevented the realization of European unity.

Post-WWII Promoters of European Unity

Key political figures who revived and supported the idea of European unity, specifically Jean Monnet, Robert Schumann, and Konrad Adenauer.

Council of Europe (1949)

An organization established in 1949 in Strassbourg with the objective of defending human rights and democracy.

Schumann Declaration (1950)

A 1950 declaration made by Robert Schumann stating the necessity of forming a union of European states.

CECO (Comunitatea Europeana a Carbunelui si Otelului)

Formed in 1951 by 6 founding members (France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) to trade coal and steel without customs taxes.

Treaty of Rome (1957) / CEE

A treaty concluded in Rome transforming CECO into CEE (Comunitatea Economica Europeana), extending member cooperation into broader economic domains.

Treaty of Maastricht (1991)

A treaty through which the CEE became the European Union (UE), establishing the freedom of movement of persons, the single EURO currency, and European citizenship.

Treaty of Lisbon (2007)

A treaty concluded in 2007 that created a sustainable development plan for the European economy.

Schengen Area (Spatiul Schengen)

An EU-created zone guaranteeing total freedom of movement for goods, capital, and persons.

Symbols of the European Union

The blue flag with 12 stars, the anthem 'Oda Bucuriei', the motto 'Unitate in diversitate', the Euro currency, and Europe Day on May 9.

European Parliament (Parlamentul European)

The EU legislative body that adopts laws, consisting of 751 members elected once every 5 years.

European Council (Consiliul European)

An EU body composed of heads of state and prime ministers that discusses the political issues of the organization.

Council of the European Union (Consiliul Uniunii Europene)

A decision-making body of ministers representing member states, which rotates leadership every 6 months and makes decisions alongside the European Parliament.

Additional EU Institutions and Bodies

Curtea de Justiţie a UE, Banca Centrală Europeană, Curtea de Conturi Europeană, Comitetul Economic si Social European (CESE), and Comitetul Regiunilor.

Core Objectives of European Cooperation

Ensuring political peace and economic reconstruction; joint Franco-German actions through historic reconciliation; cooperation among European nations; and convergence of European popular interests.

Antebellum Period (Perioada antebelică)

A stage of Romanian cultural evolution dominated by the movement of romanticism.

Europenisti (Europeanists)

An interwar cultural current represented by Eugen Lovinescu and Stefan Zeletin, advocating the adoption and adaptation of European cultural models to the Romanian space.

Traditionalisti (Traditionalists)

An interwar cultural current represented by Nichifor Crainic and Nae Ionescu, promoting national values, traditions, and Orthodoxy (ortodoxism).