The European Union

In 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) including West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands is founded by...

• The Treaty of Rome

• The Treaty of Paris

• The Treaty of Maastricht

In 1951, the UK...

• refused to join the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

• was not invited to join European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

In 1957, two further organisations are formed, both are made up of the same six countries as the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community).

Which ones?

• the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)

• the European Economic Community (EEC)

• the European Commission (EC) responsible for legislation

In 1960, a rival body is formed by Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Like the EEC it seeks to establish free trade, but avoids the creation of supranational institutions. What is the name of this body?

• the World Trade Organization

• the Commonwealth of Nations

• the European Free Trade Association

In 1961, the UK submits its first application to join the EEC, under Conservative PM Harold Macmillan. In 1963 and in 1967 the British application is vetoed by ...

• the German Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer.

• the French President, Charles de Gaulle.

• the Belgian Prime Minister, Théo Lefèvre.

In 1965, a Merger Treaty (Brussels Treaty) is signed, combining Euratom, the EEC and ECSC into one body:

• the European Union

• the European Communities

• the European Council

The UK makes a third – and successful – application, this time under Conservative PM Edward Heath. Joining alongside Britain are Denmark and Ireland in:

• 1967

• 1970

• 1973

In 1979, the first elections to the European Parliament are held. The Exchange Rate Mechanism is launched. Its aim is to harmonise exchange rates across the EEC, in preparation for the adoption of...

• a single currency.

• a single language.

• a single market.

1985: The Schengen Treaty is signed, creating a borderless zone across most of the member states:

• the UK tries to negociate.

• the UK signs up.

• the UK doesn’t sign up.

On 9 November 1989, the border between East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years marking:

• the end of the Cold War.

• the fall of the Berlin Wall.

• the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe.