France-+ND

**By Nick D’Addio**  **The European Union **** Why was the European Union created? ** • Unity became a necessity after World War I, when France, Russia, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Britain and Austria divided and many other European countries were under complete economical unrest. • The European Union was also formed as a result of many leaders speaking out for political integration in the 1940s, in order for cultural revitalization to take place. • The concept of officially uniting Europe was introduced, due to the tolls and unfortunate aftermath of World War II in the 1950s. • The European Union was established in order to assist a war-torn Europe with the countless declining economies, to encourage trade within this continent, and to establish a universal type of currency. • After the 2nd World War, the division of countries was a continent-wide issue that was to be changed by the anticipated European Union. • The European Union was also created to break the numerous barriers and differences that divided most European countries from its neighbors; culture, in general, language, politics, and religion. • Tension and violence continued to be frequent among different ethnic and religious groups after the World Wars in Western Europe, necessitating a source of mediation or, in this case, the European Union. • This European Union was also established for each partaking country to have a certain say and responsibility in an interdependent economy and union. ** Give a thorough history of the EU. ** • The European Coal and Steel Community is formed by Robert Schuman to integrate Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) on April 18, 1950, as an economical union. • In 1957, the European Economic Community, otherwise known as the common market, is established as a part of the Treaty of Rome. • On January 1, 1973, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland join the European Union, showing greater interest in a community of equilibrium and peace. • Spain, Portugal, and Greece join the European Union on January 1st of 1981 and 1986, due to the overpowering of dictators and other military regimes. • The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 saw to the fall of communism, and East Germany joined the European Union because of this. • The Treaty of Maastricht establishes this organization as the European Union on February 7, 1992; to focus on cultural stability and the future of Europe. • The single market is formed in January of 1993, signifying the interdependent economy in Europe that was only going to grow tremendously. • Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the European Union on January 1, 1995. • On January 1, 1999 the euro is beginning to be used in 11 European countries, as a common currency. • On May 1, 2004 much of central and northeastern Europe (not Scandinavia) and Cyprus join the European Union. What is the purpose of the EU? ** The purpose of the European Union is to carry out the following: • Enforce economic and societal stability with cohesion policies, as an interdependent union. • Maintain a steady employment rate, especially in poorer communities, in order to continue economical development. • Implement a common, universal form of currency. • Increase globalization within Europe, but to protect the range of cultures there already. • Sustain national and global security and compatibility (and trade) with neighboring nations and countries. • Safeguard the civil rights and liberties of the people of Europe, in order to remain a more unified, happy group of nations. • Divide international responsibilities and priorities, both economical and political, as a contingent organization. • Maintain the efficient single market, in order to remain an economical union. • Provide ground-breaking innovations to help the common culture in fields such as technology, general development, energy, and the environment. ** How does the EU benefit Europeans? ** • Europeans have greatly benefited from the EU, especially in the fact that this organization has eliminated the factor of war and conflict between different European nations. • Europeans have benefited tremendously from a governmental standpoint, as the European Union has helped 27 countries prosper through strong democracies. • The European Union has brought the people of this continent peace and comfort with compatibility that it has shown on an international scale to neighboring nations. • Europeans are satisfied with what the European Union has done to make Europe a safer environment; it has strengthened the force against crime and illegal immigration. • Europeans have benefited from the European Union when it comes to consuming, as well; the quality of goods is excellent and any citizen can purchase goods in any EU nation with no supplementary taxes. • The European Union has eliminated a majority of trade barriers, in order to speed up economical success and to provide a wider variety of jobs for Europeans. • Lower class Europeans have benefited most significantly from the EU, as subsidies this organization has been given to boost the economies of poorer countries such as Portugal, Ireland, and parts of Greece. • The EU has helped Europeans so much by simply providing the people with a more powerful, provocative voice in this world, with human rights as a major priority.
 * France's Indelible Position in the European Union**

** Is your country a member of the EU? What role does it play in this organization? **   Yes, France is a member of the European Union and was, in fact, one of the founding countries. France is an extremely dedicated member of the European Union, in spite of the nationalist beliefs of a majority of political France. President Mitterrand of France (1981-1995) once stated, “France is our homeland, but Europe is our future.” With pride and confidence of being a political and economical forerunner, France played a huge role in the promotion and progression of the European Union. France provides for the European Union, as a major supporter and advocate of the European Security and Defense Policy, in order to maintain a safe, crime-free environment for the people of Europe. In spite of the people of France leading a referendum against the policies of the EU constitution, France has remained an integral part of this organization, especially after it promoted the Lisbon Treaty, a declaration that the future of Europe will act as a foundation for the tackling of many issues of a changing continent, in 2008. It also has offered a helping hand to other nations by encouraging political and economical unity, as it did to the Union for the Mediterranean in the recent past. France is a definite forerunner in the further progress of the European Union. France became a member of the European Union on April 18, 1951, in an endeavor and agreement to remain a part of a common market with other nations to ensure the unity of them all. The international relationship between France and Germany was a major obstacle that had to be overcome in order for the European Coal and Steel Community to be established. Jean Monnet, a dedicated member of the French Committee of National Liberty, first conceived the thought of peace for not only France, but for all of Europe in 1943. Jean Monnet brought the integration of political and economical Europe to the attention of the MRP deputy of France, Robert Schuman, and the chancellor of West Germany, Konrad Adenauer. In spite of the constant tensions and disagreements between these countries, both political leaders agreed that this cohesive community of nations should be established. Not only did Robert Schuman accept, but he composed a plan for the future of these countries not as separate nations, but as one interdependent union. France’s joining of the European Union, thereafter, was a major cause of the evolution and positive progress of this successful organization. ** What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country? ** The pros of France joining the European Union are the following:  ·  This growing nation could exploit its military resources, in order to keep Europe a safe place to live.  ·  This country took advantage of its position in the organization to unite other nations (not necessarily as a part of the EU), as it did to the Union for the Mediterranean.  ·  The euro was invented, as a result of the improving relationship between France and Germany.  ·  This successful organization was encouraged to establish a foreign policy, as a result of France’s joining and their military strength.  ·  This nation began to think of others and was weaned from its reliance on nationalism, especially when they helped the U.S. with Operation Enduring Freedom.  ·   This developing country began to focus on its economical status more, as meeting the credentials for the European Monetary Union, established in the Treaty of Maastricht, was a huge accomplishment. The cons of France joining the European Union are the following:  ·  Germany and France were not immediate friends and they did not necessarily cope, but their international relationship has strengthened.  ·  The people of France did not necessarily agree with the idea and concepts established in the EU constitution, and held protests many different times because of this.  ·  France had determined a path of unselfishness and assisting other nations and had begun to be unresponsive to the people of France, resulting in many rallies such as the student rally of 1968. France has benefited from the European union, since the day the organization was established. After Jean Monnet suggested an economical union to Robert Schuman and Konrad Adenauer, political France was all for the unity of Europe, especially President Mitterrand. The Maastricht Treaty was ratified by President Mitterrand in 1992, as he wanted to live by its policies in an economical union. As a result of the constant enthusiasm from the leaders of France, this nation could take advantage and put to use their seemingly endless supply of military resources and capabilities. In addition to defending Europe, France also could concentrate on its economical status, as joining the European Union brought it to France’s attention, to an extent. France met the criteria that the EU had instituted in the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, in order to become a faithful member of the European Monetary Union. The EU has also benefited this nation because it has weaned France from its pure nationalism and has brought it to really understand the meaning of the European Union. France has established many different international relationships such as nations in the Mediterranean, and has distinguished themselves as one of the leaders of this European Union. France has greatly benefited from the European Union because the people of this nation are learning about teamwork and relentlessness, during times of adversity. France recently showed its support for the Lisbon Treaty that established how Europe is going to cope with future issues. France has benefited greatly from its membership in the EU. Online Resources: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3842.htm http://europa.eu/abc/history/1945-1959/index_en.htm http://www.ucparis.fr/center_program/2008/fall/euintegration_f08.html http://europa.eu/lisbon_treaty/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/index_en.htm http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/so-whathas-europe-ever-done-for-us-apart-from-441138.html/euo_en/spsv/all/1/ <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Picture Resources: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/France_Flag_Map.svg/507px-France_Flag_Map.svg.png<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;">[|http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/ae4/smr255.shtmlhttp://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/institutions/britain-in-the-european-union/] http://www.eu-oplysningen.dk/euo_en/spsv/all/1/ http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/ae4/smr255.shtml http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/institutions/britain-in-the-european-union/__ <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #262a2c; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> Book Resource: Jones, Colin. __France__. New York, NY: Cambridge UP, 1994. Picture Resources: http://www.33ff.com/my_resources/EU_maps/eu_maps/EU%20-%20European%20Union%20map%20B.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/France_Flag_Map.svg/507px-France_Flag_Map.svg.png
 * France and the European Union **
 * How and when did your country become a part of the European Union? **
 * How does the EU benefit your country? **