European Community 1979-1988 Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which country joined the European Community on January 1, 1981?

Ireland

Greece (correct)

Portugal

Spain

What significant event occurred in June 1979 regarding the European Parliament?

Direct elections for the European Parliament took place. (correct)

The European Commission was established.

The European Monetary System was launched.

Greece joined the European Community.

Which nations predominantly opposed the direct elections of Members of the European Parliament?

Belgium and Luxembourg

Spain and Portugal

France and the UK (correct)

Germany and Italy

What was one of the key components introduced by the European Monetary System?

European Currency Unit (ECU) Signup and view all the answers

Who was the European Commission President that launched the European Monetary System project?

Roy Jenkins Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) within the EMS?

To stabilize exchange rates between currencies Signup and view all the answers

Which country primarily supported the European Monetary System alongside Germany?

France Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Margaret Thatcher advocate for during her time as Prime Minister regarding the EC?

Economic integration for a single market Signup and view all the answers

What significant issue was highlighted regarding the EU in the declaration?

Democratic deficit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT identified as a challenge faced by the EU?

Acquisition of new member states Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main phases of the EU reform process?

Convention with broad participation Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the European Council as per the reforms outlined?

Overseeing EU foreign policies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main law-passing procedure used in the Council of Ministers?

Co-decision process Signup and view all the answers

How was the European Commission structured after the reforms?

Reduced to 15 members with a rotating system Signup and view all the answers

Which group specifically prepares meetings for the European Council?

General Affairs Council Signup and view all the answers

What was a proposed feature of the Convention Draft Constitutional Treaty?

Radical reforms for greater efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the proposed increase in Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the Council?

To make it easier to pass legislation in key areas Signup and view all the answers

What role does the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy play in the EU?

They serve concurrently as a Vice-President of the European Commission Signup and view all the answers

How many European Commissioners were planned by 2014?

Two-thirds of the member states Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the EU undergo regarding its legal status?

It merged its previous three pillars into a single structure Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Co-decision process was expanded?

It was extended to new areas like agriculture and justice cooperation Signup and view all the answers

What new option regarding EU membership was introduced?

A procedure for voluntary withdrawal from the EU Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Copenhagen criteria?

They are used for assessing eligibility to join the EU Signup and view all the answers

What role does enhanced cooperation require in terms of member state participation?

Participation from at least 9 member states Signup and view all the answers

What was a major concern for France during the third enlargement of the European Community?

The effect on its agricultural sector Signup and view all the answers

What significant event in 1984 influenced the accession of Portugal and Spain to the European Community?

The Fontainebleau Summit Signup and view all the answers

What was a key component of Jacques Delors' plan for designing the Single Market?

Completion of the Single Market by 1992 Signup and view all the answers

What role did the European Commission play in the accession of Portugal and Spain?

It provided pre-accession support Signup and view all the answers

What overall effect did the third enlargement have on European integration?

It prompted a renewed commitment to integration Signup and view all the answers

When did Portugal and Spain officially become members of the European Community?

January 1, 1986 Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the problematic areas identified during negotiations for Portugal and Spain's accession?

Fisheries issues Signup and view all the answers

Who was instrumental in resolving remaining issues related to the accession of Portugal and Spain in 1985?

Jacques Delors Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the concessions made by the EU during the December 2008 European Council to win Ireland's approval for the Lisbon Treaty?

Ireland would keep 1 Commissioner. Signup and view all the answers

Which significant event occurred in October 2009 regarding the Lisbon Treaty?

Ireland held a second referendum. Signup and view all the answers

When did the Lisbon Treaty officially become effective?

1 December 2009 Signup and view all the answers

Which crisis is associated with the rise of Euroscepticism and populism in Europe?

Brexit Signup and view all the answers

What legal action helped resolve Ireland's initial rejection of the Lisbon Treaty?

A protocol added to the Croatian Accession Treaty Signup and view all the answers

In addition to economic issues, which other crisis did the EU face that involved significant security concerns?

Terrorism and complex international relations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a primary focus of the new EU policy priorities as a response to recent challenges?

Trade agreements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following periods marked only one enlargement of the EU since the Lisbon Treaty became effective?

2009-2024 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

1979-1984: Slow 'Relance’

Greece joined the European Community (EC) in 1981 after negotiations that focused on economic integration.
The first direct elections for the European Parliament were held in 1979, where MEPs were now elected by citizens.
The European Monetary System (EMS) was introduced in 1979 to address monetary stability and keep European integration progressing.
The EMS consisted of two key components:
- The European Currency Unit (ECU), a shared currency unit used for accounting purposes.
- The Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), which aimed to stabilize exchange rates between European currencies.

1985-1988: Towards the Single Market

Portugal and Spain joined the European Community in 1986.
The EC provided pre-accession support to both countries to prepare them for membership.
The Fontainebleau Summit in 1984 approved Portugal and Spain's accession.
Jacques Delors, the new president of the European Commission, helped resolve the remaining issues in 1985.
The inclusion of Portugal and Spain contributed to a renewed commitment to the overall European integration process.

Designing the Single Market

Jacques Delors introduced a plan to complete the Single Market by the end of 1992.
The plan included several key components:
- Renewed effort to develop an Economic and Monetary Union.
- Reforms aimed at improving the EC's foreign policy

The Single European Act (SEA)

The SEA was signed in 1985 and entered into force in 1987.
It set out a timetable for the completion of the single market and included provisions on the free movement of goods, people, services, and capital.

The Maastricht Treaty (1992)

Established the European Union (EU)
Focused on deepening European integration and included provisions on political and economic union.
The EU expanded to 15 members.

The Amsterdam Treaty (1997)

Strengthened the EU's common foreign and security policy and introduced the concept of 'enhanced cooperation'.
The EU expanded to 15 members.

The Nice Treaty (2001)

Simplified the decision-making process in the Council of Ministers by introducing a new voting system.
The EU expanded to 15 members.

The Constitutional Treaty (2004)

Proposed radical reforms to make the EU more efficient and better at handling external policies.

The Lisbon Treaty (2009)

Officially recognized the European Council as an EU institution and defined a new role for the President of the European Council.
Reformed the decision-making process in the Council of Ministers and extended the co-decision process to new areas.
The EU expanded to 27 members.

Latest Developments in the EU (2009-2024)

The EU has faced numerous overlapping crises:
- Economic crises: banking crisis, eurozone debt crisis, and recession leading to low growth.
- Migration crisis: issues with refugees, pressure on the Schengen zone, and debates over handling migration.
- Security: concerns over internal and external security, terrorism, and complex relations with the US, China, and the Middle East (Israel-Palestine conflict).
- Populism and Euroscepticism: a rise in populism across Europe, challenges to liberal democracy, and Brexit (the UK leaving the EU in 2020).
- Health crisis: The Covid-19 pandemic.
- Ukraine: ongoing crisis related to energy supplies and geopolitical tensions.

Key Issues

Democratic Deficit: The lack of accountability and transparency in the EU decision-making process.
Subsidiarity: The principle that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level of governance.
Unanimity: The requirement that all EU member states must agree to a decision, which can slow down the decision-making process.
Qualified Majority Voting (QMV): A voting system in which a majority of member states, weighted by population size, must agree to a decision.
Accession Criteria: The criteria that countries must meet to join the EU, including political, economic, and legal criteria.
Single Market: A system that allows for the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital within the EU.
Economic and Monetary Union (EMU): A system aimed at creating a single currency and a single economic policy for the EU.
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP): A policy area in which EU member states work together on foreign and security issues.
Enhanced Cooperation: A process that allows a group of EU member states to work together more closely on specific policy areas.
Voluntary Withdrawal: A procedure that allows an EU member state to voluntarily leave the EU.

Significant Events

Treaty of Rome (1957): Established the European Economic Community (EEC).
Single European Act (1985): Set out a timetable for the completion of the single market.
Maastricht Treaty (1992): Established the European Union (EU) and introduced the euro.
Amsterdam Treaty (1997): Strengthened the EU's common foreign and security policy and introduced the concept of 'enhanced cooperation'.
Nice Treaty (2001): Simplified the decision-making process in the Council of Ministers.
Constitutional Treaty (2004): Proposed radical reforms to make the EU more efficient and better at handling external policies.
Lisbon Treaty (2009): Officially recognized the European Council as an EU institution and defined a new role for the President of the European Council.

Key People

Jacques Delors: President of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, known for his role in the creation of the single market.
Margaret Thatcher: Prime Minister of the UK from 1979 to 1990, who supported economic integration within the European Community.
Roy Jenkins: President of the European Commission from 1977 to 1981, who initiated the European Monetary System.
Jean Monnet: Considered the "architect" of the European project, known for his role in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
Robert Schuman: French Foreign Minister who proposed the creation of the ECSC in 1950.

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Description

Explore the significant events and developments in the European Community from 1979 to 1988. This quiz covers Greece, Portugal, and Spain's accession, the introduction of the European Monetary System, and the progress towards a Single Market. Test your knowledge of this transformative period in European history.