-
Name ___________________ Date ___ _ Class ____ _
] -. .n
Enrichment Activity
The European Union Background
Today a person can travel across most of Europe without carrying
a passport or being stopped at each border. This was not always the
case, however. A series of treaties between many of the nations in
Europe have removed passport checks, labor restrictions, and trade
barriers. These treaties culminated in the Treaty on European Union
(also called the Maastricht Treaty) in 1991, which created the
European Union (EU) in 1993. The EU includes most of the nations of
western Europe, as well as many eastern European countries.
Because the European Union is the result of a series of
treaties, its political structure can be difficult to understand,
even for Europeans. In 2004 a constitution was written for the EU,
at least partly to address some of the confusion about its
structure and functions. Ratification by all EU member nations is
needed, however, before the constitution can go into effect.
til For Investigation Conduct research to learn more about the
structure and functions
of the European Union. As you read, look for answers to the
following questions:
1. Defining Is the European Union a federation, a confederation,
or something else?
2. Specifying When nations become members of the EU, do they
retain their national sovereignty? Explain.
~ 3. Listing What are the three maJ'or criteria that countries
must meet ~ 'K before they can join the EU? g. u
19
-
Narne ___________________ Date ____ Class ____ _
Enrichment Activity continued
4. Identifying What are the three main "institutions" of the
EU?
5. Comparing and Contrasting Which two institutions share
legislative power? What is the difference between these two
institutions?
6. Differentiating Are the Council of the European Union and the
European Council the same thing? Explain.
7. Describing What is the executive branch of the EU? What role
does it have in the legislative process?
8. Explaining What institutional changes would the proposed EU
constitution make?
20
-
Name ___________________ Date _____ Class ____ _
Activity Compare and contrast the political
structure of the European Union and the political structure of
the United States. Create organizational charts that illustrate the
similarities and dif-ferences between the two structures, using
drawing tools on your computer. Print out and incorporate the
organiza-tion charts into a bulletin board display about the
European Union. Include other information from your research that
you found particularly interest-ing or that helped you understand
the structure and functions of the European Union.
• Some of the basic principles of the American political system
are indi-vidual rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, limited
government, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Create a
chart that (1) defines each of these principles, and (2) indicates
how each is incor-porated in the political system of the European
Union.
• In 2005 France and the Netherlands voted to reject the
proposed EU con-stitution. Working with a partner, research the
pros and cons of adopt-ing the constitution. Then conduct a mock
debate in which one of you
Enrichment Activity continued
Assessment Checklist Assess your bulletin board display using
the checklist below:
D Attractive, creative, and eye-catching
D Design is well thought out (neither too crowded nor too
bare)
D Ideas are presented clearly and flow logically from one to the
next
D Organizational charts effectively illustrate the political
structures ofthe European Union and the United States
D Illustrations, text, and other design elements work together
to present information about the European Union in an interesting
and informative way
presents arguments for, and the other presents arguments
against, ratifying the constitution.
• Some of the debate over the EU constitution resembles the
debate over the U.s. Constitution before it was adopted in 1789.
Research the controversy over the EU con-stitution, as well as the
debate that preceded the ratification of the U.s. Constitution.
What similarities do you see? What role do "states' rights" play in
both cases? Write a brief report comparing the debates over the two
constitutions.
21