EU History

EU History Overview

1945-1959

  • Founding Institutions: European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) created to unite Europe economically/politically for peace.

  • Context: Cold War tensions; US Marshall Plan for Western Europe; Soviet Molotov Plan.

  • Milestones: 1957 Treaty of Rome establishes the European Economic Community (EEC).

European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

  • Purpose: Integrate coal and steel industries; pivotal for arms manufacturing.

  • Founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.

  • Trade: Established common market for coal and steel, regulation rules implemented.

European Economic Community (EEC)

  • Renamed: Became European Community (EC) in 2009.

  • Aim: Achieve economic integration; established single market in 1994.

1960-69

  • Economic Growth: EU countries remove customs duties; joint food production control.

  • Tensions: French veto of UK's accession; Merger Treaty signed (ECSC, EURATOM, EEC integrated).

  • Legal Foundations: Van Gend en Loos case solidifies EU law’s enforceability in domestic courts.

1970-79

  • Membership Expansion: Denmark, Ireland, UK join EU (1973).

  • Key Events: Arab-Israeli War leads to energy crisis; rise of regional policies and influence of European Parliament.

1980-89

  • Political Changes: Gdansk strikes lead to the fall of Communism in Poland; Greece joins EU (1981).

  • Historic Events: Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989); German reunification (1990); signing of the Single European Act.

1990-99

  • Single Market Completion: 1993 establishment of the four freedoms (goods, services, people, money).

  • Key Treaties: Maastricht Treaty (1993), Treaty of Amsterdam (1999), and expansion into Austria, Finland, Sweden (1995).

Schengen Agreements

  • Overview: Abolition of internal borders; establishment of common visa regime; incorporated into EU law in 1999.

2000-09

  • Major Changes: Euro currency launched (2002); significant EU enlargement in 2004 (10 new members).

  • Financial Crisis: Austerity measures imposed on member states, leading to rising Euroscepticism.

2010 - Present

  • Ongoing Changes: Establishment of Banking Union; Croatia joins EU (2013); growing influence of Eurosceptic parties.

  • Security Concerns: Increase in terrorist attacks heightening discussions on EU security.

European Governance Structure

  • Key Institutions: European Parliament, European Commission, Council of the EU, European Council.

  • Legislative Process: Proposals initiated by the Commission require approval from both the Parliament and Council.

EU Law and Treaties

  • Treaties are the foundation for EU legislation; they establish common objectives and institutional roles.

  • Types of legal acts include regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations, and opinions.