ECSC, EEC, and EFTA Quiz: 1951-1960

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Questions and Answers

What was a key reason for the need to reform EU institutions during the eastern enlargement?

To standardize the currencies of all member states.

To accommodate a significantly larger population of 300 million people. (correct)

To increase the agricultural production of existing members.

The initial design was for 15 members.

Which treaty was signed in 1992 to establish monetary union within the EU?

Lisbon Treaty

Amsterdam Treaty

Maastricht Treaty (correct)

Nice Treaty

What was one of the ratification difficulties that occurred during the process of introducing the euro?

Danish voters rejected the Treaty and then reversed their decision after opting out. (correct)

Italy was hesitant to join the European Central Bank.

Spain opted out of the common currency.

Germany rejected the Maastricht Treaty initially.

What was introduced as part of the Maastricht Treaty aside from the monetary union?

EU citizenship Signup and view all the answers

Which treaty aimed to establish a constitutional framework for the EU but was ultimately rejected in 2004?

Constitutional Treaty Signup and view all the answers

What majority is required for most decisions made by the Council?

Qualified majority voting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tasks is NOT a responsibility of the Council?

Proposing legislation Signup and view all the answers

Which entity assists the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy?

European External Action Service Signup and view all the answers

How long do individual Commissioners serve in the European Commission?

Five years Signup and view all the answers

What significant change was established by the Lisbon Treaty regarding leadership in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy?

Merging the roles of the Council of Ministers and the European Commission Signup and view all the answers

Which area does the Council NOT have the power to finalize judgments on?

Environmental regulations Signup and view all the answers

Who monitors the negotiating stances of the European Commission at international negotiations?

Member State governments Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all Council decisions typically requires unanimity?

20% Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant challenge to harmonizing tax policies in the EU?

Tax policies directly involve national political compromises. Signup and view all the answers

Which pillar of EU governance requires all member states to agree before action can be taken?

Intergovernmental pillar Signup and view all the answers

Which treaty began as the Treaty of Rome and was updated by the Maastricht Treaty and the Lisbon Treaty?

Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the European Court of Justice (ECJ) play in the EU legal system?

Its rulings can alter laws across member states. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes 'deep supranationality' in the context of EU law?

It applies to most areas unless explicitly excluded. Signup and view all the answers

How can member states be affected by laws proposed by the European Commission (EC)?

Member states must implement laws that are passed. Signup and view all the answers

What was a critical issue for pro-Brexit politicians regarding EU law?

The concept of legal supremacy within the EU. Signup and view all the answers

What type of policies are predominantly handled under the 'supranational pillar' of the EU governance structure?

Economic-related and some judicial policies Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the European Commission's preference for consensus in decision-making?

To secure approval from the Council and the Parliament Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a main task of the European Parliament?

Managing the EU budget Signup and view all the answers

How many members are in the European Parliament, and how are they distributed?

720 members, based on population but less than proportional Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Lisbon Treaty bring to the European Parliament's powers?

It made the Parliament equal to the Council on most EU legislation. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Court of Justice of the European Union serve?

Settling disputes related to EU laws Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about judges in the Court of Justice of the European Union is accurate?

There is one judge from each member state, serving for six years. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key features of the European Commission's role in the EU law-making process?

The right of initiative to propose new legislation Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Court of Justice of the European Union located?

Luxembourg Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the ECSC established in 1951?

To control coal and steel sectors under a supranational authority Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the difference between the EEC and EFTA?

EEC is a customs union while EFTA is a free trade area. Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the EEC's formation by the late 1960s?

Economic pressure for EFTA nations to join the EEC Signup and view all the answers

How did De Gaulle impact UK's membership in the EEC?

He refused UK membership twice during the early 1960s. Signup and view all the answers

What type of integration does federalism promote in contrast to intergovernmentalism?

Embedding nations in a supranational structure with shared powers Signup and view all the answers

Which organization aimed to achieve economic cooperation among Western European countries post-1949?

OEEC Signup and view all the answers

What was a major economic outcome observed after the formation of the EEC in the 1950s?

Significant growth in manufacturing, exports, and incomes Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the relationship between the EEC and EFTA by the late 1960s?

Two distinct circles with differing economic integration levels Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

ECSC, EEC and EFTA Formation (1951-60)

West Germany's integration intended to bolster European economic recovery post-WWII.
ECSC established in 1951 by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Luxembourg; coal and steel sectors centralized under a supranational authority (Schuman Plan).
European Defence Community (EDC) and European Political Community (EPC) projects failed.
EEC, founded in 1957, created a customs union that promoted labor mobility, integrated capital markets, and free trade in services among the ‘Six’.
EEC’s formation disadvantaged non-member European nations (e.g., OEEC members like Britain).
EFTA, established in 1960, facilitated tariff reductions without aligning external tariffs, contrasting the EEC's customs union model.

Federalism vs Intergovernmentalism

Intergovernmentalism maintains national sovereignty with cooperation limited to necessary agreements; exemplified by OEEC and EFTA.
Federalism aims for deeper integration through supranational structures, as seen in EEC, EDC, and EPC.
Economic motivations for integration arose, with trade liberalization linked to growth and industrialization, observed from the 1950s.

Evolution to Two Concentric Circles

Inner trade barriers fell within EEC and EFTA, leading to market discrimination; EEC’s GDP significantly outpaced EFTA.
Pressure escalated for EFTA nations to join EEC, leading to UK membership application in 1961; Denmark, Ireland, and Norway followed.
De Gaulle twice vetoed UK's membership; eventually, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK joined in 1973, while Norway declined via referendum.

Institutional Challenges and Reforms

Anticipated EU enlargement necessitated institutional reforms adapted for an initial six-member structure.
New Central and Eastern European members introduced challenges due to economic differences and needed reforms.
Four major reform attempts occurred between 1997 and 2007: Amsterdam Treaty, Nice Treaty, Constitutional Treaty (rejected), Lisbon Treaty.

Monetary Union and Integration

Post-German unification prompted calls for deeper integration; Delors proposed significant economic integration through a monetary union.
Maastricht Treaty (1992) established goals for monetary union by 1999 and a single currency by 2002, alongside EU citizenship and enhanced cooperation in various sectors.
Ratification difficulties emerged, notably with the UK and Denmark opting out of the common currency; the Maastricht convergence criteria set conditions for monetary union entry.

EU Architecture and Law

Policies are categorized under a 'supranational pillar' (economic-related) and an 'intergovernmental pillar' (foreign/security policy).
European Commission (EC) proposes legislation and enforces EU law; has limited direct executive authority in niche areas.
Members of the Council pass EU laws and coordinate economic policies; decisions made via unanimity for major issues and Qualified Majority Voting for others.

Role of the European Parliament

The Parliament shares legislative power with the Council and oversees EU institutions, enhanced significantly by the Lisbon Treaty.
Composed of 720 directly elected members, MEPs are organized by political groups rather than national lines, ensuring a diverse representation.
The European Parliament convenes primarily in Strasbourg, with administrative functions in Luxembourg and Brussels.

Court of Justice of the European Union

Settles disputes that arise from the interpretation of EU laws, ensuring legal uniformity across member states.
Comprised of judges appointed for six-year terms, the court’s decisions are made by majority voting.

Legislative Processes in the EU

The European Commission holds initiative rights, granting significant influence over the EU law-making process.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the formation of the ECSC, EEC, and EFTA from 1951 to 1960. Explore the significance of these organizations in the economic recovery of post-war Europe and the attempts to create a European Defence Community and Political Community. This quiz covers key historical events and concepts associated with these supranational structures.