History Unit Six - The European Union
Who is Donald Trump?
45th President of the United States
Who is Jeremy Corbyn?
A British politician serving as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2015. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Islington North since 1983. Ideologically, Corbyn identifies as a democratic socialist.
What is the European Union?
A Conglomeration of 28 European countries which have free trade with one another and allow its citizens to travel and work freely within member nations.
Who is Nicola Sturgeon?
A Scottish politician who is the current First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party
European Court of Justice
Based Luxembourg, the Court interprets national and EU law, and bases its decisions on the treaty.
EU Council (aka Council of Ministers)
Based in Brussels, major decision making body (works with EP), the Council makes votes that turn Comission proposals into European Law.
How is the EU similar to the US?
Both (mostly) have a common currency Common laws for all member states in both, with some individual sovereignty.
How is the EU similar to NAFTA?
Both have Tariff free trading agreements (free trade)
What are the cons of EU enlargement?
Countries have less of a voice The more poor countries added, the more the richer countries have to pay
Treaty of Rome (1957)
Established the EEC (European Economic Community and Euratom) EEC was created to more fully integrate the European markets, as well as reduce sovereign powers in favor of supranational ones. Tried to establish the EDC (Defense) but France, including president Jean Monet, didn't want to destroy political state powers, just economic ones.
What events in Europe triggered Euroscepticism?
Eurozone debt crisis Fears of immigration/migrant/refugee flows "Democratic Deficit"
What is Angela Merkel's stance on Brexit?
Impartial to Brexit for the sake of UK but opposed for the interest of the EU
Democratic deficit
Lack of transparency: Increasing citizens argue that the EU lacks democracy and seems inaccessible to the ordinary citizen because its method of operating is so complex. The European Parliament is the only EU institution that is elected directly by the people. This has led voters to disengage from the political process.
Brexit
The act of Britain exiting the EU
"Brexit" Referendum
The name for Britain's vote to leave the EU
Nativism
The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants/a return to or emphasis on traditional or local customs, in opposition to outside influences.
Maastricht Treaty (1992)
The treaty led to the creation of the euro currency, and created what is commonly referred to as the pillar structure of the European Union. This conception of the Union divides it into the European Community (EC) pillar, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar, and the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) pillar. The latter two pillars are intergovernmental policy areas, where the power of member-states is at its greatest extent, whilst under the European Community pillar the Union's supra-national institutions — the Commission, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice — have the most power.
What is Nicola Sturgeon's stance on Brexit?
Thinks UK should remain in the EU UK needs to be a part of a single market
How is the EU different from the US?
US is more integrated. US is a federation, EU is a confederation. Not all EU countries are a part of the schengen agreement, meaning that not all of them allow free movement with passports, unlike travel between us states. EU does not have a common executive (president) EU does not have a common military (has an integrated military)
What is Donald Trump's stance on Brexit?
Wants Brexit to happen Believes in sovereignty Believes it is good for America's pocketbook If the UK leaves the EU then he can make better trade deals with the UK
Can the UK remain part of the European Community if it leaves the EU?
Yes. There are many countries (US included) that still trade with the EU. They could also keep the rule that EU people can work in the UK/vise versa.
Who was most likely to vote against Brexit and why?
Young people People with a college degree Those who live in urban areas
Confederation
a more or less permanent union of countries with some or most political power vested in a central authority
Federation
an organization or group within which smaller divisions have some degree of internal autonomy
What are the pros of EU enlargement?
More political stability to continental Europe Keeps the U.S. power in check (a larger EU is more influential in global affairs) Adds economic and cultural diversity to the EU.
What are the major arguments for Brexit?
U.K. Security/border protection: close borders tight! Syrian refugees Eastern European migrants ISIS Economic Jobs stay in Britain - protectionism Trade more with the "rest of the world" (free from EU regulations) Social Nationalism - "stay British" Political U.K. Independence from Europe
Immigration, migrants, refugees in the EU
In 2015 and 2016 alone, more than 2.5 million people applied for asylum in the EU 2.3 million illegal border crossings into the EU were detected in 2015 and 2016 This crisis has been met with the rise of far right anti-immigration parties in several EU states. These parties have advocated for policies like leaving the Eurozone or the EU altogether.
What are the differences between migrants and refugees?
Migrants choose to leave, often in search of a better life. Refugees are those fleeing armed conflict/persecution who face possible deadly consequences if returning.
What are the pros and cons of Brexit?
More national sovereignty Able to make their own trade deals Regain the country's confidence New immigration policies in hopes of letting in more skilled workers rather than unskilled labor
How might Brexit affect the rest of the EU?
Larger countries like germany and france will have to contribute more to the budget. Pushes for more Eurozone integration Eurozone would become the core/driving force of the EU Germany could become overly powerful The protectionist bloc could become overly powerful The EU will be more leftist/democratic EU will have a smaller budget Member states will have to contribute more EU would become more closed off and display more protectionism EU's global role would be significantly weakened There would be less support for nuclear and unconventional energy sources Less copyright protection Soft power would decrease Future development of EU military capabilities would be undermined Possible EU disintegration Economic: UK is one of the biggest export market Military: Britain has the strongest military in the EU But NATO still serves as military protections but the US is dominant power Refugee burden will be put even more nations that are already overwhelmed POlitical power - leads to shift in balance? WIll Germany be strengthened UK tends to be more conservative than Germany
European Council
Less of an institution than a forum, consisting of the political leaders of the member states. They meet 4x a year to make broad decision on policy, which are then worked out by the Commission and the Council of the EU.
European Steel and Coal Company
Limited economic union, if you were a part of the European coal and steel community, you had free trade but only for coal and steel
Eurozone debt crisis
Since joining the EU in 1999, the nations of Greece and Portugal (among others) have borrowed large sums of money because they could now borrow at the same rate as the rest of the Eurozone When times were good, this was easy. Lenders figured that since they were part of the Eurozone, they were a safe bet. When the 2008 recession hit, these debtor nations were unable to pay their debts, and needed a massive bailout from the European Central Bank and the IMF As an economic union, the entire EU bears the brunt of this economic crisis. In exchange for bailout funds, Greece was forced to engage in austerity measures, including tax hikes and spending cuts This has led to a spike in Greek unemployment rates, which has subsequently led to government backlash. This has contributed to Euroscepticism because there has been a general disapproval of the EU's handling of the economy.
Lisbon Treaty/Article 50 (2007)
States that any member state may decide to withdraw from the EU in accordance with its own constitutional requirements. Gives two years to negotiate an agreement to leave the EU
Who is Angela Merkel?
The Chancellor of Germany
To what extent did the UK fully buy into the goals and vision of the EU?
The UK didn't buy into the EU's goal/vision to have a common currency, seeing as it never adopted the Euro.
Who is Theresa May?
A British politician serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party
European Union
A conglomeration of 28 European countries that act almost as states within a country (countries within an organization) established November 1, 1993; most use the Euro, and economies directly impact each other. Countries within the EU cannot declare war on each other and Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Albania, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Macedonia and Montenegro are not in the EU. There is free trade between EU countries (confederation).
"Euroskeptic"
A person who is opposed to increasing the powers of the European Union.
Arab Spring
A phrase used to describe the series of mass protests in the Middle East in early 2011 that triggered the Syrian civil war.
Sovereignty
A self-governing state.
What is Boris Johnson's stance on Brexit?
Actively campaigned for brexit Thinks Britain should leave the EU to enhance trade with the UK Conservative Extreme in his opinions Wants to trade more freely with nations that the EU restricts Brexit is a success and will save the UK Allow for new economic opportunities
NATO
Alliance between North American and European countries that began in 1949 Collective Defense: Member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party Spending is supposed to amount to a proportion of each country's GDP 29 countries Largest funder is the United States (¾ of all spending)
European Commission
Based in Brussels, this is the executive and administrative branch for the EU. Proposes laws and implements policies and laws
How did the European Union evolve?
Began in the 1950's with the "European coal and steel community". They formed to try to prevent future conflict thinking that if there was an economic union between nations, they would be less likely to fight with Each other. After the treaty of Rome further merged the European countries into the "European economic community" (EEC), a trading block which was economically integrated and had a joint control of food production. It went on to add more member nations and grow into a community with integrated politics as well, including human rights, environmental policies, collective research, and reducing regional inequalities. In 1993 the Maestricht Treaty turns the EEC into the EU
Who is Boris Johnson?
Britain's foreign minister under Theresa May. He is pro-Brexit and wants a hard Brexit, meaning that Britain cuts off all economic ties with the EU. He is a member of Britain's Social Conservative Party
What are the arguments for or against EU enlargement?
Could be a financial strain on stronger countries Job losses in wealthier nations (will move to countries with cheaper labor costs). Loss of national sovereignty
Schengen Agreement
Countries with free boarders who are not in the Eu
European Economic Community (up to c 1960)
Created by the treaty of Rome Euro zone debt crisis led to some Euroskepticism. Ex. Greece- some countries have dug themselves into debt and then the more successful countries have to bail them out which causes resentment to build both by the countries that had to spend lots of money to help these countries, and by the countries that were dug out of debt because they are held to stricter regulations (forced to cut spending and raise taxes causing higher unemployment rates).
Euroscepticism
Criticism of the European Union (EU) and European integration. Opposition to and total rejection of the EU.
European Parliament
Divided among Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels, filled with directly elected five year terms by voters of member states. Parliament can discuss Commission proposals and has equal powers with the Council of Ministers of laws' adoption.
European Union (1992-present)
EEC becomes the European union through the Maastricht Treaty. Their goals were to have common foreign policy, common defense policy, guidelines to align social and environmental policy, policies for assistance for wealthier member states towards poorer member states, creation of a common currency
What are the major arguments against Brexit?
Economic: both in the U.K. and the EU Half of all U.K. exports go to EU countries - rules change? Loss of labor movement Less immigration (consider why immigration issues are listed under pros AND cons) Social Isolationism and separation from the rest of Europe Political Destabilize the EU Widens the political divide in the U.K.
How is the EU different from NAFTA?
Most EU nations have a common currency, none of the NAFTA nations have a common currency. NAFTA is just an agreement, while the EU is a distinct political entity (contains governing bodies, a judicial system). EU is more integrated than NAFTA. NAFTA does not allow the free movement of people.
Who was most likely to vote for Brexit and why?
Older generations and those in rural areas. Older generations remember a time before brexit when there was more national sovereignty. Those in rural areas don't benefit much from being in the EU. The EU is best for people like bankers who are in large businesses.
Dublin Agreement (Regulation)
The Dublin Regulation (Regulation No. 604/2013; sometimes the Dublin III Regulation; previously the Dublin II Regulation and Dublin Convention) is a European Union (EU) law that determines the EU Member State responsible for examining an application for asylum seekers seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention
How does the European Union's budget work?
The EU's budget is made up of contributions from its member nations. Member nations pay a percent of their GDP (Gross Domestic Product), causing larger and richer member states like Germany France and the UK to contribute the most, and smaller and poorer countries like Greece to contribute the least. The largest portion of the EU budget is dedicated to supporting poorer regions. The EU budget also includes rebates, money that is given back to its member states. These rebates are given to member nations to support their development and other projects. UK receives rebates on its agriculture (UK needs money for subsidizing to stay competitive with the rest of Europe. UK only produces 1/2 of its food, they rely heavily on imports from other countries).
What does the Syrian Refugee Crisis have to do with the European Union?
The Syrian refugee crisis caused an influx of many refugees to European countries. Europe is seen as ideal destination due to relatively strong employment rates, peace and stability. Because of their status of refugees, these European countries are not allowed to send them back to their homes. In countries like turkey, the refugees are allowed to stay in the country, but are not allowed to work. There isn't nearly enough money set aside for refugees, so these people put a financial strain on the countries which they enter.
What is Theresa May's stance on Brexit?
Wants a hard Brexit "Brexit means Brexit" Wants to quit the EU's single market and make its own trade deals with other countries Wants to leave the EU customs market New immigration system Limiting net migration to the EU
What is Jeremy Corbyn's stance on Brexit?
Wants a soft brexit Staying in the single market Wants to protect the free flow of labor Potentially wants to stay in the customs union wishy washy on migration
