Government of Europe Lesson

European Union

Guided Notes, Videos, and Activity

Purpose of European Union

•For its members to work together for advantages that would be out of their reach if each were working alone

•Believe that when countries work together they are a more powerful force in the world because they involve:

–More money

–More people

–More land area

—This helps make small countries more competitive in the world market…

Multiple Choice

Being a member of the European Union helps small countries be more competitive in the world market.

• True

• False

• ​The US is much larger than separate European countries.

• When the EU countries combine, they have more people and a larger economy; they can compete a global economy

What's the Big Deal?

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• EU does NOT handle all the government business for the members (Confederation)

• Each country still makes its own laws, has a military and elects its leaders

Multiple Choice

Which items are true for members of the European Union? Choose as many as apply. Each country still _____________________.

• makes its own laws

• has a military

• elects its leaders

• votes for the president of the EU

Benefits for the Members

—Members may use a common currency (euro) that makes trade easier

—EU works to improve trade, education, farming, & industry among its members

—1. No tariffs (taxes) among member countries – free trade zone

—2. Citizens of one country can move freely to another country

—3. Citizens can live and work in any other EU nation

—4. Citizens can vote in local elections even if they aren’t citizens of the country

Multiple Choice

Which statement is NOT a benefit for being a member of the European Union?

• Citizens of one country can move freely to another country.

• Citizens can live and work in any other European Union nation.

• No free trade zones among member countries.

• Citizens can vote even if they aren't citizens of that country.

Euro

•The euro is the currency of MOST EU countries.

•Member countries can choose to give up their own currency and exchange them for euros.

–French francs and German marks have been replaced by the euro

•Common currency makes trade between the countries much easier and less expensive

•7 countries in the EU do not use the euro

Multiple Choice

The peso is the name of the money used by MOST European nations.

• True

• False

Since 2007, there are 27 members of the EU

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​EU Members

European Union Members

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Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Multiple Choice

The United States of America is a member of the European Union.

• True

• False

Non-Members

—There are several countries that are NOT EU members, including Turkey, Switzerland, Iceland, & Russia

—WHY?

—Turkey’s location to the Middle East causes some EU members to not want Turkey to join

—Switzerland has one of the world’s highest standards of living and prefers its economy to not be regulated under the EU

—The EU has strict limits on the fishing industry, and Iceland does not want the EU’s control on its most important economic activity

—Russia prefers to be an independent world leader over its resources and economy