slovakia

1. Why was the E.U created?  After WWII the European countries wanted peace.  It helped Europe to rebuild its self and give it safety and security.  It ensured economic growth.  It also strengthened the ties and relationships with the countries in Europe.  Made to put an end to international hatred.  Felt as if the only way to establish peace was to unite the ultimate powers.  After all the wars they weren’t quite fanatically stable by themselves.  Made to get a similar standard of living, to eliminate trade barriers, and to use a new currency.

2. Give a throe history of the E.U.  First started in the 1950 with France, and West Germany. Thy started trading steel and coal. The Benelux countries {who already had a similar agreement within there 3 countries} joined them.  Soon after Italy joined and so did the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway.  1981 Greece joined.  Turkey applied in 1987 and was accepted but didn’t receive status until 2000.  1995 Austria, Finland, and Sweden were accepted by the E.U.  Mediterranean islands of Malta and Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Estonia, Czech Republic joined in 2004.  The joining of the Mediterranean and eastern European countries was the largest in terms of people and land.  The most recent countries who joined were Bulgaria, and Romania, they joined in 2007.

3. What is the purpose of the E.U?  To promote economic progress.  It would stop Germany to rise in anger again.  It’s made to eliminate economic, immigration, and trade barriers between the countries of the E.U.  The Citizens of the E.U can move, travel, and bring goods freely into any other country that is apart of the E.U.  To make stability throughout Europe.  To make a common currency.  Citizens throughout Europe get more choices, and cheaper goods.  It also helps people get a better education and gives more security.

1. 4. How does the E.U benefit the Europeans?  It increases trade throughout the countries, providing jobs for the people of Europe.  It makes traveling for the citizens of Europe easier.  Lots of goods have a lower cost and are more affordable.  Gives workers paid holidays, equal treatment between men and women, protection for the old and disabled, and health and safety benefits at work.  Farmers are able to use the technique of specialization farming.  The E.U helps give a better education.  The E.U provides the rights of being able to strike, and the rights to healthcare social security, and social assistance.  Europeans who are apart of the E.U all have the same currency, the Euro.

 http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union  http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_1/index_en.htm  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlargement_of_the_European_Union  http://www.jobmonkey.com/europejobs/european-union.html  http://ukinbelgium.fco.gov.uk/en/working-with-belgium/european-union/  http://www.economicshelp.org/index.html

If it is, how and when did it become a member?
Slovakia became a member of the European Union in 2004, and adopted the Euro on January 1sh 2009. Since joining the E.U tourism has increased because traveling to countries in the E.U has become less of a hassle. Also people enjoy visiting and experiencing their rich culture. Public transportation has also become better and more reliable, because of high gas prices.

What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country?
Pros      v   Improved transportation.  v  Easier travel between countries that are apart of the E.U   v    Peace and security  v  Wide ranges of education, jobs, and training CONS  v  Some countries had to go through the trouble of changing to democratic capitalist economies.  v  Language barriers  v  The cost of making a signal currency for all of the countries.  v   Little government control over immigrants. How does the EU benefit your country, whether they are a member or not?  v  Gives the people of Slovakia good sickness and maternity benefits  v  Good old age benefits  v  Gives death grants, unemployment benefits, and family benefits.  v   The Euro gives Slovakia low interest rates, greater trade opportunities, and helps small business owners.  v   The Euro boosts economic growth, and creates jobs.  v  It also reduces coasts for travel.  v  Now has the fastest growing economy in its region.  v  The E.U also gives benefits to people in Slovakia who have serious medical conditions that keep them from working.

v  http://www.slovak-republic.org/eu/ v  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/specials/article1169095.ece v  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/single_currency/25081.stm v  http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/5734,opinion,pros-and-cons v  http://mic.iom.sk/en/socialne-veci/8-socialne-zabezpecenie/73-socialne-zabezpecenie-obcanov-eu.html v  http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/pdf/2008/euro_related/slovakia_benefits_en.pdf v    http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/SLOVAKIAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20630686~menuPK:305124~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:305117,00.html