Lithuania-SC

====**__European Union__ **====

=
====The European Union was created after WW2 to prevent more wars. The European Union wanted to protect and insure the safety of all its members. Countries joined the European Union in hope of bringing peace, prosperity, and stability to Europe, and basically make Europe a better place. By opening up to each other, countries benefited other countries economies and live together peacefully ==== ==== ====
 * __Why was the European Union created?__ **=====

==== ==== ==== __**Give a thorough history of the EU. **__ ====
 *    European coal and steel company is founded in 1951
 *      A common market is established by the treaty of Rome in 1957
 *     In 1973 the EU establishes common policies and expands to nine members
 *         First direct elections to the European parliament in 1979
 *  <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">  1   <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   981 Mediterranean enlargement
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">      The treaty of Maastricht establishes the EU in 1993  <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   In 1995 the EU notes and coins are introduced in 2002 <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   Ten more countries expands to 15 members
 * Euro join the union in 2004

** The European Unions purpose is to provide peace and freedom to 495 million citizens in a safer, fairer world. The European Unions main focus is to create one currency that is used in all the countries of the European Union. With countries joining together as one, trade barriers are being broken down, and people can now pass from one country to another without a passport. Because of this freedom countries are exchanging their knowledge of different subjects, which is therefore expanding the European knowledge. May students travel to different countries to get better learning experiences.
 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__What is the purpose of the EU?__

<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__How does the EU benefit Europeans?__ **
 * Travel from country to country without a passport <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   Growth of jobs and businesses
 * More money opportunities
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   Europeans can live without the fear of war
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   A greener Europe
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   Learning experiences in a different country
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   more freedom of speech
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #00ccff; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   people can live in a peaceful environment and watch their country prosper and grow

=
========================================================================================================**<span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__Lithuania<span style="font-size: 24pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> __ ** **<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__Is your country a member of the EU?__ ** Yes :)

** Lithuania entered the European Union on May 1st 2004 along with nine other countries. Because they chose to join the European Union Lithuania was the first of the former Soviet republics to join the European Union. Lithuania was invited to join the European Union in 2001 after Turkey was turned down.
 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__How and when did it become a member?__


 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country?__ **
 * <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: #339966; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Pros **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #993366; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">   Lithuania 's economy has grown by 8% per year since 2004(when it joined) because of foreign exports and domestic consumer demands
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #993366; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">  People are working at higher paying jobs because of the advanced educations they can receive in other countries.
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #993366; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">      Ability to move from country to country in search of jobs
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #993366; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">  No passport or visas are needed to travel to different EU countries causing cultural diffusion.

<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #993366; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
 * <span style="font-size: 13pt; color: #ff6600; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Cons **
 * Because of cultural diffusion certain cultures many lose their individuality
 * Because The EU uses one currency, prices may go up and it may be difficult for an entire country to convert to euros
 * many companies and firms may be taken over by foreign competitors causing local workers to lose their jobs
 * Because no passports or visas are needed to travel between EU countries, many countries may experience population decrease or growth.


 * <span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #ffcc00; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">__How does the EU benefit your country, whether they are a member or not?__ **


 * The EU has opened many doors to different learning experiences as well as the freedom to travel. Because of this freedom to travel Lithuania receives many tourist from other EU countries. Because of the increase in tourist worker receive higher wage and new jobs are created. When Lithuania does adopt the euro inflation will decrease and trading among countries will become easier because they use the same money. Because there are no trade barrier between the EU countries Lithuania's exporting would sharply rise and Lithuania would have access to other goods that they would need from ohter countries. **

http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_1/index_en.htm http://www.eu-oplysningen.dk/euo_en/spsv/all/1/ http://www.historiasiglo20.org/europe/images/index.jpg http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2003/05/11/ltihuania_eu030511.html https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ http://www.sociumas.lt/Eng/Nr11/ES.asp http://www.liw.lt/archive_vid.php?shid=1121164611&id=1121163570 Raskauskas,J. and Petrulis, D. "Lithuania", __Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life__,1998