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Questions and Answers
Which country joined the Allied Powers in 1915 after shifting alliances?
Which country joined the Allied Powers in 1915 after shifting alliances?
What was the primary aim of Georges Clémenceau during the Treaty of Versailles?
What was the primary aim of Georges Clémenceau during the Treaty of Versailles?
Which of the following was a key aspect of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points?
Which of the following was a key aspect of Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points?
What was a significant reason for the League of Nations' struggles with enforcement?
What was a significant reason for the League of Nations' struggles with enforcement?
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Which pact between Germany and the Soviet Union emboldened Germany to expand?
Which pact between Germany and the Soviet Union emboldened Germany to expand?
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What did the League of Nations aim to achieve regarding border disputes?
What did the League of Nations aim to achieve regarding border disputes?
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What event marked the start of World War II as a result of Germany's actions?
What event marked the start of World War II as a result of Germany's actions?
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What was one of the critical needs of Western Europe in 1945?
What was one of the critical needs of Western Europe in 1945?
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What global issue highlighted the need for European integration after World War I?
What global issue highlighted the need for European integration after World War I?
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Which program was designed to provide financial assistance for post-war recovery in Europe?
Which program was designed to provide financial assistance for post-war recovery in Europe?
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Which community was a precursor to later European economic cooperation?
Which community was a precursor to later European economic cooperation?
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What was one of the pursued goals of the European Economic Community (EEC) following its establishment?
What was one of the pursued goals of the European Economic Community (EEC) following its establishment?
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What significant event is often credited with providing investments needed for regional integration in Europe?
What significant event is often credited with providing investments needed for regional integration in Europe?
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Which nations primarily joined the European Coal and Steel Community?
Which nations primarily joined the European Coal and Steel Community?
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What institution provided security assurances to Western Europe after World War II?
What institution provided security assurances to Western Europe after World War II?
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What was a significant factor that made Europeans more receptive to cooperation by 1945?
What was a significant factor that made Europeans more receptive to cooperation by 1945?
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What key factor led to the creation of organizations like the European Union after WWII?
What key factor led to the creation of organizations like the European Union after WWII?
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Which theory emphasizes the need for binding agreements that surpass individual state authority to foster integration?
Which theory emphasizes the need for binding agreements that surpass individual state authority to foster integration?
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What significant event occurred on May 8, 1945?
What significant event occurred on May 8, 1945?
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What was the primary focus of the Benelux Treaty enacted in 1948?
What was the primary focus of the Benelux Treaty enacted in 1948?
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What type of institution is the European Parliament?
What type of institution is the European Parliament?
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Which leader took over discussions regarding Europe after Roosevelt's death?
Which leader took over discussions regarding Europe after Roosevelt's death?
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How many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are there currently?
How many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are there currently?
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What flaw did the League of Nations reveal about intergovernmental cooperation?
What flaw did the League of Nations reveal about intergovernmental cooperation?
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What significant political shift occurred post-WWII in response to earlier cooperatives?
What significant political shift occurred post-WWII in response to earlier cooperatives?
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Who is the current president of the European Parliament?
Who is the current president of the European Parliament?
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What is one of the roles of the president of the European Parliament?
What is one of the roles of the president of the European Parliament?
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Which organization was a precursor to the formation of the European Union?
Which organization was a precursor to the formation of the European Union?
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Which voting mechanism does the European Parliament use for most decisions?
Which voting mechanism does the European Parliament use for most decisions?
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What is the maximum number of MEPs that can be from a single member state?
What is the maximum number of MEPs that can be from a single member state?
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How often does the presidency of the European Parliament typically alternate between the two largest political groups?
How often does the presidency of the European Parliament typically alternate between the two largest political groups?
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In which areas does the European Parliament have legislative powers?
In which areas does the European Parliament have legislative powers?
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What is the first step in the ordinary legislative procedure?
What is the first step in the ordinary legislative procedure?
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What happens if the Council rejects the text after the second reading?
What happens if the Council rejects the text after the second reading?
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How can the European Parliament influence the drafting of new laws?
How can the European Parliament influence the drafting of new laws?
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What is known as the 'nuclear option' in the context of the European Parliament's powers?
What is known as the 'nuclear option' in the context of the European Parliament's powers?
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What is the role of the Conciliation Committee in the legislative procedure?
What is the role of the Conciliation Committee in the legislative procedure?
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What is one of the responsibilities of the European Parliament regarding the EU budget?
What is one of the responsibilities of the European Parliament regarding the EU budget?
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How many members does the European Parliament have?
How many members does the European Parliament have?
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What is one method by which the European Parliament can draw attention to issues?
What is one method by which the European Parliament can draw attention to issues?
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Study Notes
World War I and its Aftermath
- The Allied Powers (Triple Entente) consisted of Great Britain, Russia, France, and Italy (joined in 1915)
- Key figures with visions:
- Georges Clemenceau (France) aimed to weaken Germany to prevent future threats
- Woodrow Wilson (United States) advocated for 14 Points promoting peace, open diplomacy, and the League of Nations
- David Lloyd George (United Kingdom) supported harsh reparations for Germany but worried about the spread of Bolshevism
- The League of Nations was established for diplomatic cooperation, collective security, and territorial settlement
- The League's lack of enforcement power led to its failure in 1946
Interwar Period and Nationalism
- Mussolini (Italy) and Hitler (Germany) rose to power, promoting aggressive nationalist expansion
- Hitler's Germany left the League of Nations, rejected the Treaty of Versailles, and secretly rebuilt its military.
- Germany annexed Austria and gained the Sudetenland in the 1938 Munich Agreement
- The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) was a secret non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union, enabling Germany to invade Poland and triggering World War II
The Need for European Integration
- WWI devastation and failed alliances highlighted the need for a more stable system to prevent future conflicts.
- Interwar economic and political crises, coupled with the rise of authoritarian regimes, emphasized the dangers of unbridled nationalism.
Shaping European Integration
- Failures of intergovernmental cooperation through the League of Nations and the rise of nationalism emphasized the need for stronger, enforceable systems.
- This led to post-WWII supranational organizations like the United Nations and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), eventually evolving into the European Union (EU) focusing on economic integration as a path to peace.
Post-War European Integration and Cooperation
- Allied leaders (Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt) met in 1945 to discuss Europe's future, with a focus on Germany's future
- Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945, marking Victory in Europe (V-E Day)
- After Roosevelt's death, Harry Truman continued discussions on European reconstruction and handling Germany
Early Steps Towards Economic Cooperation
- The Benelux Treaty (1944) established intergovernmental cooperation between Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, focused on economic integration and a customs union.
- The treaty came into effect in 1948, leading to the Treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union in 1958
The European Parliament
- The European Parliament is a supranational legislative body representing EU citizens.
- It has legislative, supervisory, and budgetary powers and is one of the main decision-making institutions within the EU.
- There are 705 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing EU member states, with numbers varying by population.
- Roberta Metsola serves as the President of the European Parliament, with roles including presiding over sessions, representing the Parliament externally, ensuring the rules and procedures are followed, and facilitating the work of the Parliament.
- The European Parliament uses different voting mechanisms, including simple majority and qualified majority.
- The European Parliament has three main roles: Legislative Power, Supervisory Power, and Budgetary Power.
European Parliament: Legislative Power
- The European Parliament shares power with the Council of the EU when debating and passing European laws.
- It's primarily involved in the 'ordinary legislative procedure,' where the Commission proposes a law, which goes through readings in the Parliament and the Council.
- The Parliament can also impact legislation by sending representatives to Commission meetings, publishing own-initiative reports, and sending requests to the Commission for proposals.
European Parliament: Powers Over Other Institutions
- The Parliament has direct powers over other EU institutions, contributing to a system of checks and balances and increasing EU citizen involvement.
- The Parliament can force the resignation of the College of Commissioners with a motion of censure.
European Parliament: Key Points
- The Parliament is the EU's legislative arm, sharing powers with the Council of Ministers.
- It plays a key role in approving EU budget proposals.
- The Parliament meets in Strasbourg for plenary sessions, in Brussels for committee meetings, and its Secretariat is based in Luxembourg.
- The Parliament has 705 members elected every five years, with the number of seats determined by each member state's population.
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Description
Explore the intricate landscape of World War I and its aftermath, including the key figures and treaties that shaped modern Europe. Delve into the interwar period where nationalism surged with leaders like Mussolini and Hitler, and understand the consequences of their actions as they defied the League of Nations.