SS6CG5b European Union

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SS6CG5b European Union
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• 1. Why did many Western European nations decide
  to switch to a single currency?

• A single currency would make it easier to trade
  with each other.

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• 2. Why do you think each country wants to mint
  its own coins?

• Each country will still be able to retain its own
  identity.

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• 3. Today in Western Europe how do citizens take
  part in the government?

• Citizens are able to vote and also citizens can
  be members of political parties.

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• 4. What was the original goal of the European
  Union?

• The original goal was to encourage trade.

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• 5. Why did many former Communist countries join
  the European Union?

• Many former Communist countries want to gain
  economic and political advantages.

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• 6. What must Eastern European countries do before
  they can join the EU?

• Many of the countries first make legal, economic
  and environmental improvements.

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• 7. Look at the photograph on page 368.
• A. List the countries on the Euro plaque.
• B. Which countries in the EU have not adopted the
  euro as currency?

• A. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany,
  Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
  Portugal, and Spain
• Denmark, Greece, Sweden, United Kingdom

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• 8. Why did many European countries adopt the euro?

• A single currency makes international trade much
  simpler.

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• 9. What have members of the EU done to improve
  trade? List three things.

• Members of the EU have done away with tariffs,
  lifted border controls and made development loans.

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• 10. What is a tariff? What effect does it have on
  the cost of goods?

• A tariff is a duty or fee (tax) that must be paid
  on imported or exported goods. Tariffs make goods
  more expensive.

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• 11. What steps did the EU take to improve the
  environment in Romania? List 3

• Built a new waste treatment system
• recycling centers
• cleanup up old dumping ground.

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• 12. How might environmental problems affect a
  nations economy, as well as that of its neighbors?

• The environmental problems may be too costly to
  repair, also some of the problems such as air
  pollution can affect other countries.

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• 13. How is the EU improving lives of people? List
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• Helps to raise the standard of living
• Provides job training
• Allows people to work in any member country
• Allows people to vote in local elections wherever
  they live
• Protects peoples rights through a Court of
  Justice

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• 14. Why would it be helpful for all members of
  the EU to have similar legal systems?

• Having a similar legal system makes laws fair and
  easy to understand and follow.

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• 15. What are some examples of cultural diversity
  among EU nations? List 3

• People speaking different languages
• unique foods
• Certain ways of doing business
• Special games and celebrations

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• 16. What conveniences do most major European
  cities offer?

• Excellent public transportation
• sidewalk cafes

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• 17. What are the main problems facing the
  European Union?

• Conflicting cultural traditions
• National pride
• Economic inequality among members

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Describe the benefits of being a member of the
European Union.

• Trade among countries without tariffs, improving
  the standard of living, improving \/correcting
  environmental issues.

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Explain why it is important for Eastern European
countries to improve their economies before they
can join the European Union.

• Countries with poor economies are not self
  sufficient and can hurt or bring down the economy
  of the other countries.

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Why do you think some European countries that are
members of the EU have not adopted the euro as
their form of currency?

• Many countries want to retain their own identity,
  some fear that having one currency will lead to a
  European super state, some fear that it is too
  expensive and others fear that if the euro is a
  failure that may hurt them financially.