The history of the European Union

The history of the European Union 

The Founding Fathers of the EU 

The following visionary leaders inspired the creation of the European Union in which we live today. Without their energy and motivation would not live in the area of ​​peace and stability that we take for granted. Since the resistance fighters lawyers, the founding fathers were a diverse group of people who had the same ideals: a peaceful, united Europe prosperante. In addition to the founding fathers described below, many more have worked tirelessly for the European project and what inspired them. This section on the founding fathers, then, is a work in process of realization. 

1. Konrad Adenauer AdenauerKonrad 
2. Joseph Bech BechJoseph 
3. Johan BeyenJohan Beyen 
4. Winston Churchill ChurchillWinston 
5. Alcide de Gasperi GasperiAlcide 
6. Walter Hallstein HallsteinWalter 
7. MansholtSicco Sicco Mansholt 
8. Jean Monnet MonnetJean 
9. Robert Schuman SchumanRobert 
10. Paul-Henri Spaak SpaakPaul-Henri 
11. SpinelliAltiero Altiero Spinelli 

1945 - 1959 

Europe for Peace - the beginnings of cooperation 

The European Union was created with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors, which culminated in the Second World War. In the '50s, the European Coal and Steel is the first step of an economic and political union of European countries to achieve a lasting peace. The six founders are Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This period is characterized by the Cold War between East and West. The protests against the communist regime in Hungary are crushed by Soviet tanks in 1956; the following year, the Soviet Union took the lead in the space race by launching Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. Also in 1957 the Treaty of Rome, which is the European Economic Community (EEC) or 'common market' is signed. 

1960 - 1969 

The 'Swinging 60' - a period of economic growth 

In the 60's the emergence of 'youth culture', fueled by musical groups like the Beatles attracting huge crowds of teenage fans wherever they go, help stimulate a cultural revolution and widening the generation gap. It is a good time for the economy, favored, among other things, that the EU countries will cease to levy customs duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint control over food production and, thus, an adequate supply to even get to lead early in the surplus of agricultural production is guaranteed. May 1968 becomes famous for student riots in Paris, and many changes in society and lifestyle are related to the so-called "Generation of 68 '. 

1970 - 1979 

A growing Community - the first Enlargement 

On January 1st 1973 Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union, bringing the number of member states to nine. The short, yet brutal, Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 result in an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. With the overthrow of the Salazar regime in Portugal in 1974 and the death of General Franco in Spain in 1975 disappeared the last dictatorship 'right-wing' of Europe. The EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and in 1979, it is first elected by universal suffrage. 

1980 - 1989 

Europe face changes - the fall of the Berlin Wall 

The Polish trade union Solidarność, and its leader Lech Walesa, become household names across Europe and around the world after the strikes of the Gdansk shipyards in summer 1980. In 1981 Greece becomes the tenth member of the EU, and five years later, Spain and Portugal join. In 1986 the Single European Act is signed, a treaty that forms the basis of a comprehensive six-year program, designed to eliminate obstacles to the free movement of goods across the borders of the EU, and that gives rise therefore the 'single market'. On November 9, 1989 a major policy reversal occurs when the Berlin Wall was demolished and for the first time in 28 years, opens the border between the two Germanies, who gather suddenly in a single country. 

1990 - 1999 

Europe without borders 

With the fall of communism in Central and Eastern European feel closer. In 1993 completes the creation of the single market with the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and capital. The nineties is also the two treaties: the Maastricht EU, 1993 and 1999 Amsterdam citizens care about protecting the environment and joint action on security issues. and defense. In 1995 join the EU three countries, Austria, Finland and Sweden. The agreements signed in Schengen, a small town in Luxembourg, gradually allow travel without having their passports checked at the borders. Millions of young people study in other countries with EU support. Communication is made easier as extending the use of mobile phones and the Internet. 

2000 - 2009 

New Extension 

The euro is the new currency for many Europeans. The September 11, 2001 happens to symbolize the war on terrorism after a hijacked planes crashing into buildings make New York and Washington. The EU countries begin to work much more closely against crime. Political divisions between Eastern and West definitely just give zanjadas in 2004 when ten new countries join the EU, followed by two others in 2007. In September 2008 a financial crisis shaking the global economy, causing them to narrow economic cooperation among member countries of the EU. The Lisbon Treaty gives the EU that modern institutions and more efficient working methods, is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force on 1 December 2009. 

2010 - present 

A decade of opportunities and challenges 

The new decade begins with a serious economic crisis, but also with the hope that investment in new, more climate-friendly green technologies, along with closer European cooperation, produce lasting growth and welfare.

A Brief Summary of the history of European Union enlargement