Europe: From World War II to the European Union

Post-WWII Europe was devastated, with widespread desire for lasting peace.
Initial steps led to the Common Market, evolving into the European Union.
Potsdam Conference (1945) divided Germany into four zones (Britain, France, USA, Soviet Union) to prevent future aggression.
European integration post-war aimed to curb nationalism and promote trade for peace.

Marshall Plan (1947-1951): US provided ~13 billion in aid to Western Europe to rebuild economies, remove trade barriers, and counter Soviet communism.
Soviet Union rejected the Marshall Plan as "dollar imperialism," solidifying the division of Europe.
Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC, 1948): Formed by Marshall Plan participants.
"Iron Curtain": Coined by Winston Churchill to describe the ideological and physical division of Europe.
NATO (1949): Western military alliance (US, Canada, Western Europe) for mutual defense.
Comecon: Soviet counter-organization for Eastern Bloc economic cooperation.
Warsaw Pact: Soviet military alliance.
Berlin Wall (1961-1989): Constructed by East Germany under Soviet instruction, symbolizing the Cold War division.

Benelux Economic Union (1944): Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg formed a customs union for free movement of goods, capital, services, and workers.
Schuman Declaration (May 9, 1950): French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed an organized Europe; led to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) among six states (Benelux, France, Italy, West Germany).
Europe Day: Celebrated on May 9.
Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC), also known as the Common Market, expanding integration beyond coal and steel.
EEC Expansion: Denmark, Ireland, UK joined in 1973; Greece, Portugal, Spain in early 1980s.
First democratic elections to the European Parliament: 1979.
Fall of Berlin Wall (November 9, 1989): Marked the collapse of Soviet influence and the end of the Cold War.
Maastricht Treaty (1992): Officially established the European Union (EU), creating unified foreign/security policy, closer cooperation in justice/home affairs, and setting rules for a single currency.
Euro Adoption: 11 countries adopted the euro in 1999; notes and coins entered circulation in 2002; now used by ~300 million Europeans.

A unique economic and political partnership of 27 countries with ~500 million citizens.
Represents ~20\% of the world's economy and global trade; world's largest economic grouping.
Operates as a single market with free movement of people, goods, and services, standardized laws, and a common currency (euro) for most members.
Schengen Agreement: Allows free movement across internal borders for many member states (no passport checks).
Key Institutions:
- European Parliament: Directly elected body (Brussels/Strasbourg).
- European Commission: Executive arm, initiates and administers policies (Brussels).
- European Council: Political leadership, meets four times a year (Brussels).
- European Central Bank: Manages monetary policy for Eurozone, keeps inflation under control (Frankfurt).
- European Court of Justice: Ensures EU law compliance and interpretation (Luxembourg).
EU Flag: 12 stars in a circle symbolize perfection, completeness, unity, solidarity, and harmony.
Challenges: Governing diverse cultures, 23 official languages, maintaining national identities while fostering integration.
Impact: Promotes peace, stability, and security in member countries; significant economic power, larger GDP than the United States, and the world's largest exporter of goods.