The European Union (EU)

SS6CG5 The student will explain the structure of modern European governments.

b. Describe the purpose of the European Union and the relationship between member nations.

Vocabulary

1. European Union 2. Euro 3. Tariff 4. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 5. currency 6. per capita

Members of the EU

Austria Belgium Bulgaria Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom

What is the purpose of the EU?

• • • Its members can work together for advantages that would be out of their reach if each were working alone. When more countries work together, they involve more people, more money, and more land area. This makes smaller countries of the EU more competitive in the world market.

Comparing the EU and the U.S.A

EU

Land Area (approximate square miles.) Population (approximate) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Gross Domestic Product per Capita (person) 1,500,000 500,000,000 $14 trillion $28,213

United States

3,700,000 309,000,000 $13.5 trillion $43,444

Currency “money”

• • Most members of the UN use the Euro. The Euro is to the EU as the Dollar is to the USA.

• What specific advantages do you think members of the EU have by sharing the same currency?

Advantages

• • • Trade between the countries become much easier and less expensive.

Citizens do not have to exchange currency to spend money in other EU countries. Consumers and businesses can compare prices more readily, which stimulates competition.

Other Advantages of the EU

• • • • • • Improved trade Education Farming Industry For example, there are no tariffs between countries in the EU. This make a large free-trade zone. Citizens can live and work in any other UN nation.

Limitations of the EU

• • The EU does not handle all the government business for the member countries. Each country makes it own laws, has its own military, and elects its own leaders. • Do you think these points are an advantage or disadvantage?

1. European Union(EU)

Vocabulary Review

A. An economic and political grouping of countries in Europe.

2. tariff 3. gross domestic product (GDP B. Total value of the goods and services produced by a country in a given time period 4. Euro C. A fee imposed by the government on imported goods and services.

5. per capita D. The common unit of currency used by most EU countries E. For each person

Questions

• What is the purpose of the European Union?