History of the European Union and European Citizenship

After the World War II, Europe is looking pretty battered and with the Soviet Union eyeing up Eastern Europe, the Western powers want to get their act together pronto.

In 1951, 6 countries - Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, France and The Federal Republic of Germany - get together to form the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) through the Treaty of Paris. Their hope is that the creation of a common market in two of the materials central to militarisation will rule out the possibility of a future war between France and Germany.

In 1957, the same 6 countries are so delighted with their first European Community that they decide to set up two more through the Treaties of Rome which comprises the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The EEC aims to extend the common market of the ECSC to create a single European market with free trade in goods, freedom for people to live and work in other Member States and the free flow of capital.

In 1973, The United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland join the EEC. This is not the first time the UK has tried to join, its earlier attempt was met with a "non" by the French President Charles De Gaulle.

6 years later the European Monetary System (EMS) is introduced promoting currency stability to encourage trade between member states.

1979 - was also a year of the first direct elections to the European Parliament with subsequent elections taking place every 5 years on a fixed term.

In 1992, the EU Member States sign the Maastricht Treaty, which formally establishes the European Union and sets out a timetable for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the creation of a single currency (the euro).

It includes an important "Social Chapter" on welfare and labour standards. However, John Major refuses to agree to this part of the Treaty and it isn't until New Labour comes to power in 1997 that Britain signs up.

In 1997, the EU Member States prepare for future growth or 'enlargement' in EU membership through The Treaty of Amsterdam. This treaty reforms the institutions and increases the legislative power of the European Parliament to make it the equal partner of the Council in most areas, under a system called 'co-decision' originally introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht.

In 2000, the EU Member States, apparently suffering the withdrawal symptoms of not having signed a Treaty for three years, sign the Treaty of Nice, which overhauls the main EU institutions in preparation for the 2004 enlargement.

It's 2002 and the euro is born! After a period of co-circulation, national currencies within the eurozone are withdrawn, and the euro is fully launched.

A European Convention is set up at the instigation of the European Council to look into how the EU can be made more effective and accessible to EU citizens ahead of its enlargement in 2004. The Convention goes on to propose a draft European Constitution a year later.