The document provides a historical overview of the formation and expansion of the European Union (EU) from its origins in 1951 as the European Coal and Steel Community up to 2009. It summarizes key events such as the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957 establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), various countries joining the EEC/EU over time, the creation of the euro currency, and the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon. The document uses images, timelines, and brief explanations to concisely outline the major developments in the evolution of the EU over nearly 60 years.

1. Make war not only unthinkable but
materially impossible - R. Schuman
European Union
Historical Events
Ana Rotaru, Guilherme Meyers, Rodrigo Monteiro, Vítor Braz

2. Europe, an old idea
 Desire to unify some parts to constitute a
state.
Napoleon Bonaparte

3. EU’s background
 1951: Creation of the European Coal and Steel
Community.
 Creation of a six nation international
organization.
The ECSC’ flag

4. On the road to Unity
 European Defence Community (EDC).
 The Treaty of Rome (1957).

5. 1957

6. 1957 : 6 members
 Creation of the European Economic Community
(EEC).
Members:
France
Belgium
Luxemburg
West-Germany
Italy
EEC Flag Netherlands
Designed in 1957

7. 1973

8. 1973 : 9 members
 In 1973, 3 countries joined the former EEC.
Members:
…
Denmark
United Kingdom
Ireland
Edward Heath

9. 1981

10. 1981/1985
 Creation of open borders without passport
(1985).

11. 1986

12. 1986 : Portugal Joins the EEC
 The European flag (1986);
 In 1973, 2 countries joined the former EEC.
Members:
…
Portugal
Spain

13. The Single European Act
 The first major revision of the Treaty of
Rome (1975).
 1992 December 31st- creation of the Single
Market concept.
 Establishment of the European Political
Cooperation.

14. 1993 : EU
 November 1st- The creation of the European
Union and its single currency, the euro.
 Delors Commission.
Delors Commission

15. 1995

16. 1995
 Then, 3 countries joined the former EU.
Members:
…
Sweden
Finland
Austria

17. 2002 : €uro
 Replacing of national currency for euro bills
and coins.
 The eurozone has increased to encompass
sixteen countries.

18. 2004

19. 2007

20. 2004
Members:
… …
Slovakia Hungary
Slovenia Latvia
Cyprus Lithuania
Czech Republic Malta
Estonia Poland
Eastern Street

21. 2007
Members:
…
Bulgaria
Romania
Bulgarian Parliament

22. Evolution of the EU (former EEC)
 1957
 1973
 1981
 1986
 1995
 2004
 2007

23. European Parliament
 It represents the people of the EU.
 Elected only by the EU body.
 Elections- every 5 years (since 1979)
 Parliament sits in:
Strasbourg... Brussels.

24. European Parliament

25. European Constitution
 Signed in 2004 by the 25 member states.
 France and the Netherlands rejected the
referendum, so the UK never voted.

26. Treaty of Lisbon
 Occurred on December 1st 2009.
 It changed:
 the legal structure of the European Union;
 merging the EU three pillars system into a single
legal entity;
 and it created a permanent President of the European
Council (Herman von Rompuy was the first);
 a strengthened High Representative (Catherine
Ashton).

27. The Anthem
Beethoven's 9th Symphony – Ode to Joy

28. Now What?
 The future is uncertain.
 When will the European widening stop?
 Will Turkey join the EU?