Lesson 4 The Founding and Development of the European Union Lesson Focus Question How did Europe transition from a period of conflict to a period of sustained peace? Introduction In this lesson students will examine the founding and development of the European Union across the post World War II era. Working in groups, students will be assigned a decade to examine: The Beginnings of Cooperation (1945-1959), A Period of Economic Growth (1960-1969), The First Enlargement (1970-1979), The Changing Face of Europe (1980-1989), A Europe Without Frontiers (1990-1999), and A Decade of Further Expansion (2000-Today). What’s the Big Idea? The first phase of European integration (1945-1959) began in the immediate post World War II era. A “political agenda” to draw together a divided Europe and usher in a period of peace was accomplished beginning with the Marshall Plan from the United States. This political cooperation was facilitated by economic cooperation and NATO. The second phase of the development of the European Union (1960-1999) was expansion from the initial six member states to 15 member states that began the process of reuniting Eastern and Western Europe after the collapse of communism between 1989 and 1991 and the end of the Cold War. Today (2000 – present) Europe is defining its role as a world leader in the 21st Century both politically and economically. During this period, the EU grew from 15 to 27 member states. NCSS Themes II – Time, Continuity, and Change III – People, Places, and Environments VI – Power, Authority, and Governance VII – Production, Distribution, and Consumption Knowledge Core Skills The student will know The student will be able to . the history of the European Union . read for information. as a prolonged period of peace and . organize data. cooperation that continues to evolve . transfer data to a map. and develop today. Materials Needed Europa Website The History of the European Union . The History of the European Union Worksheets 1-6 [one copy per group] Lesson 4 page 1 of 20 . History of the European Union Summary Worksheet 7 [one copy per student] . Map of Europe Today Worksheet 8 . Highlighter pens or colored pencils in 8 different colors . PowerPoint for Lesson 4 Time Needed to Complete this Lesson Two 55 minute class periods Procedures 1. Begin this lesson by reviewing the period of military conflict in Europe during the first half of the 20th Century. Explain to students that at the end of World War II, leaders of six countries began the process of uniting their countries economically and politically in order to secure a lasting peace during the second half of the 20th Century. 2. Divide the class into six groups of students. Assign each group one of the following time periods: Group 1 – A Peaceful Europe: The Beginnings of Cooperation (1945-1959) Group 2 – The Swinging Sixties: A Period of Economic Growth (1960-1969) Group 3 – A Growing Community: The First Enlargement (1970-1979) Group 4 – The Changing Face of Europe: The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1980-1989) Group 5 – A Europe Without Frontiers (1990-1999) Group 6 – A Decade of Further Expansion (2000-Today). Direct students to the Europa Website: to locate the description of events in the history of the EU related to their assigned time period. Point out to students that Norway and Switzerland held popular referendums on applying for EU membership, but they did not result in the necessary level of support by the citizenry. Subsequently, the two countries entered into new agreements with the EU, including associate status in the Schengen area (free movement of persons with no internal borders between cooperating countries). 3. Have students work together to use the information on the website to complete the worksheet on the time period assigned to their group. When the worksheets have been completed, ask a representative from each group to share their findings in each of the five topic areas. 4. As each group reports, all students should record key facts from the presentation on their individual History of the European Union Summary Worksheet. As each group reports, the teacher should project the Map of Europe Today worksheet and use 8 different color markers to shade the number of member states in the union at each point of expansion: 1952, 1973, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1995, 2004, and 2007. The Lesson 4 page 2 of 20 candidate countries could also be noted. For more information on the EU today, see Guide to the Lisbon Treaty. Summary/Review – To review the key points of this lesson, show students the PowerPoint presentation. Web Support For more information related to this lesson, visit these websites: Ten Historic Steps http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_2/ Enlargement Policy http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_3/ http://europa.eu/pol/enlarg/index_en.htm Key Dates in the History of the EU http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/key_dates/ Your Guide to the Lisbon Treaty http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/others/89/ Assessment 1. When did the fall of the Berlin Wall signal the end of the Cold War? A. May 9, 1950 B. April 18, 1951 C. November 9, 1989 * D. December 31, 1991 2. How many new member states were added to the European Union at its 2004 expansion? A. 3 B. 6 C. 10* D. 27 3. Which Treaty set the stage for moving to a single currency within the European Union? A. The Treaty of Rome B. The Maastricht Treaty * C. The Lisbon Treaty D. The Coal and Steel Treaty Lesson 4 page 3 of 20 Worksheet 1, page 1 The History of the European Union http://europa.eu/abc/history/ Decade (check the time period assigned to your group): 1945-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-present Description of the Era: _________________________________________________________ 1. Member States That Joined During this Decade: 2. Key Events and Dates of the Decade for European Integration: 3. Most Significant Event of the Decade in the World: Lesson 4 page 4 of 20 Worksheet 1, page 2 4. Cultural Trends of the Decade: 5. Summary of the Overall Accomplishments Achieved During the Decade: Lesson 4 page 5 of 20 Worksheet 1 KEY, page 1 The History of the European Union http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/ Decade (check the time period assigned to your group): 1945-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-present Description of the Era: ___A Peaceful Europe – The Beginnings of Cooperation_____________ 1. Founding Member States During this Decade: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands 2. Key Events and Dates of the Decade for European Integration: May 9, 1950 – Schuman Plan is proposed to deepen cooperation among European countries; this date is now celebrated as “Europe Day” April 19, 1951 – The Coal and Steel Treaty is signed so that none of the members can make weapons of war to use against another member March 25, 1957 – The Treaty of Rome is signed creating the European Economic Community (EEC) or ‘common market’ so that goods and services can move freely across international borders of the six member countries 3. Most Significant Event of the Decade in the World: Answers will vary but would include either: (a) the end of food rationing in Europe and the U.S., (b) Hungarian Revolt of 1956, or (c) launch of Sputnik in 1957. Lesson 4 page 6 of 20 Worksheet 1 KEY, page 2 4. Cultural Trends of the Decade: Kids dress like their parents; rock and roll music gains popularity; later, blue jeans are worn by boys but girls still wear full skirts and ankle socks; the hula hoop craze hits 5. Summary of the Overall Accomplishments Achieved During the Decade: The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950*, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west. Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956; while the following year, 1957, the Soviet Union takes the lead in the space race, when it launches the first man-made space satellite, Sputnik 1. Also in 1957, the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’. *ECSC Treaty not in force until July 1952; 1950 marks the Schuman Declaration—the beginnings of the idea of European integration. Lesson 4 page 7 of 20 Worksheet 2 KEY, page 1 The History of the European Union http://europa.eu/about-eu/eu-history/ Decade (check time period assigned to your group): 1945-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-present Description of the Era: ___The ‘Swinging Sixties’ – A Period of Economic Growth___________ 1. Member States That Joined During this Decade: No new member countries 2. Key Events and Dates of the Decade for European Integration: July 30, 1962 – “common agricultural policy” gives the countries joint control over food production; equalizes prices farmers are paid for their produce July 20, 1963 – the European Community signs its first international agreement to help 18 former colonies in Africa. Today, the EU is the world’s biggest provider of development assistance to poorer countries. July 1, 1968 – the six member states remove customs duties and allow free cross- border trade for the first time 3. Most Significant Event of the Decade in the World: Answers will vary but would include either: (a) the Beatles and “Beatlemania” in 1963; (b) Warsaw Pact and Soviet tanks roll into Prague 1968; (c) protests against the Vietnam War and the nuclear arms race; or (d) Americans land a man on the moon in 1969.