World Civilizations The Creation of the European Union

The creation of the European Union ● 1951, European Coal and Steam Committee formed ○ Luxemburg, Belgium, Italy, France, West Germany, and the Netherlands ○ Agreed to work together on productions ● 1957, European Economic Committee (EEC) formed ○ Made easier to buy and sell wide range of goods ○ Made easier to travel and work between the countries ○ Popularity grew, more members joined the original 6 ■ Nations needed to apply and be voted in for entry ● 1986, UK prime minister signs the Single European Act ○ EEC worked on ways to expand the growing committee ○ Reduced barriers of trade between nations ● 1993, EEC is renamed to be the European Union (EU) ○ Introduced more cooperation between nations ○ Brought economies of the member nations closer together ○ Introduced defense and justice negotiations ● 2002, the Euro is introduced ○ Euro became the currency of 12 EU nations ● 2004, 10 more nations joined ● 2008, Global Financial Crisis ○ Lead to recession and high unemployment rates ○ Ireland, Portugal, and Greece bailed out by EU ○ EU forced nations to implement austerity measures ● 2015, Migrant Debt/Mass Migration Crisis ○ 1mil refugees and migrants enter Europe ■ Fleeing war and violence in the Middle East ○ Greece experienced influx of refugees ■ Debt to GDP ratio over 100% ■ Poverty with dropping GDP ■ Large deficit, economically suffering ○ 60% of Greeks believe EU does not consider their interests ■ Highest percentage among member nations ● 2016, referendum votes regarding UK and the EU is held ○ Majority votes to leave the EU ○ First nation to ever consider leaving ○ Fears grow over collapse of the EU ● Theresa May is elected, promising to bring “Brexit” ○ Departure date set to March 29th, 2019 ● May calls for a general election ○ Seeking stronger mandate for negotiations ○ Elections fail to go in her favor ● Brexit issues included: ○ “Divorce Bill” ■ Agreed upon cost for Britain’s departure ○ England’s border with Ireland ○ Human rights for British ● Lawmakers reject May’s plan in the House of Commons ○ 2 additional attempts made, both fail in House ● 2019, Boris Johnson elected as Prime Minister ○ Promises “Brexit” by October 31st ○ Final plan passes in House for departure date of January 31st ● Trade deals are negotiated between UK and EU ○ Johnson promises to complete trade negotiations by end of 2020 ● EU is considered “stronger” since Brexit ○ EU already survived past crises of 2008 and 2015