HISTORICAL FACTORS OF THE

EUROPEAN UNION

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Laid the foundations for the

rise of industrial powers on
te continent. This encouraged 1760-1840
competition and economic
development, laying the SECOND WORLD WAR
foundation for the expansion
of trade and interdependence Had a significant impact on
between European nations. the formation of the European
Union. After the war, Europe
1939-1945 was devastated and looking
MARSHALL PLAN for ways to avoid future
conflicts. The war made
evident the need to unite
This plan provided massive
European Union.
economic assistance to war-
torn European countries,
allowing for the
reconstruction of
1948 SCHUMAN DECLARATION
infrastructures, industries,
and economies. Schuman proposed the
creation of a European Coal
1950 and Steel Community,
integrating the coal and steel
TREATY OF PARIS production of several
European countries under one
This treaty was fundamental supranational authority.
to the extent that it
established an approach to
economic integration that 1951
later expanded to other COLD WAR
sectors. Also, it set an
important precedent by
creating supranational The Cold War influenced the
institutions to manage key security policy of the
aspects of the economy. European Union, leading to the
1953 formation of institutions such
TREATY OF ROME as OTAN to guarantee the
collective security of
Western European countries.
This treaty established the
European Economic
Community, which sought the
EUROPEAN FREE TRADE association
economic integration of the
signatory countries. The
1957
Treaty of Rome paved the The European Free Trade
way fot greater cooperation Association is created to
between European countries. promove free trade and
economic integration between
1960 certain non-EEC countries.
This led to treaties and
OIL CRISIS agreements that subsequently
strengthned political and
economic integration.
After the Arab-Israeli war,
oil-producing countries in the First elections to the
Middle East raise prices and
restrict sales to some 1973 european paralament

European countries. This

creates economic problems in European citizens elect MPs
the EEC. for the first time and are
part of pan-European political
groups, not national
1979 delegations.
 SCHENGEN TREATY

The Schengen Treaty has had

a profound impact on the
European Union by promoting
the free movement of people
1985
and fostering security THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
cooperation.
The fall of the Berlin Wall
triggered a series of
fundamental changes in

1989 Europe that influenced the

formation and evolution of the
REVOLUTIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE European Union. It contributed
The 1989 revolutions in to the EU's eastward
Eastern Europe influenced the expansion, strengthened
EU by contributing to the democracy and human rights.
Union's expansion into the
region, consolidating 1989 MAASTRICHT TREATY
democracy, promoting
security cooperation and The Maastricht Treaty
stimulating economic significantly influenced the EU
transformation. by transforming it from a
1992 primarily economic
community to a broader union
UE ENLARGEMENTS with political, social and
security dimensions.
EU enlargements have had a
multidimensional impact on
the organization, affecting
its size, diversity,
1995
treaty of amsterdam
institutional dynamics,
economic cooperation and
The Treaty of Amsterdam
security, and promoting
influenced the EU by
stability and democracy in
introducing institutional
the candidate countries.
reforms, strengthening
1997 cooperation in areas such as
justice, security and foreign
CREATION OF THE EURO
policy, and addressing social
and labor issues.
The creation of the euro has
had a profound impact on the
EU, promoting economic
TREATY OF NICE
integration, financial stability
and the international role of
1999
The Treaty of Nice changed
the Union. the weighting of votes in the
Council of the EU, expanded
the use of majority decision-

2001 making and adjusted the

composition of the European
CONSTITUTION OF THE EU Parliament to reflect the
addition of new member
states.
The Constitution of the
European Union, despite not
being ratified, influenced the FINANCIAL CRISIS
evolution of the EU through 2004
the Treaty of Lisbon. The The financial crisis had a
latter incorporated key profound impact on the EU,
principles. leading to significant reforms
in economic governance,
financial supervision and
2008 banking stability.
 TREATY OF LISBON

The Treaty of Lisbon

influenced the EU by
strengthening its institutions,
improving legislative 2009
efficiency, expanding powers,
strengthening fundamental NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
rights and increasing citizen
The Nobel Peace Prize
participation.
awarded to the European
Union in 2012 recognized its
2012 contribution to peace,
reconciliation and democracy
FISCAL TREATY
in Europe. This international
The Fiscal Treaty signed by recognition strengthened the
some European countries sense of European identity.
sought to strengthen fiscal
discipline and economic
coordination. Established 2012 TERRORISTS ATTACK EUROPE
stricter rules for deficits and
public debt, introduced
strengthened supervision and The terrorist attacks in 2015
coordination procedures. had a profound impact on EU
2015 security and policies, leading
to greater security
MIGRATION CRISIS cooperation.

The 2015 migration crisis

generated significant
challenges for the EU,
2015
highlighting the need for a pARIS AGREEMENT
common and coordinated
The Paris Agreement has
response on migration and
influenced the EU by
asylum.
establishing a global
framework for climate action
2015 and encouraging the EU to
CLIMATE NEUTRAL EUROPE improve its commitments,
implement domestic policies
and play an active role in
The goal of achieving climate international cooperation.
neutrality has influenced the
EU by catalyzing a series of UNITED KINGDOM LEAVES EU
changes in policies, 2019
investments, technologies and
Brexit has had a significant
sectoral strategies.
impact on the EU, influencing
areas such as the economy,
foreign policy, solidarity
2020 between Member States and
reflection on the future
COVID-19 direction of the Union.

COVID-19 has had a

multidimensional impact on
the EU, affecting public RUSIA INVADES UKRANIE
health, the economy, political 2020
coordination and reflection on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
preparation for future has had a significant impact
crises. on the EU, influencing its
policies and actions in areas
such as security, foreign
2022 policy, energy and relations
with Russia.
What role awaits the European Union in the future,
especially after COVID and the new international
relations?

I think that the future of the EU will be marked by its ability to address current
challenges and adapt to a constantly changing international environment.
Consolidating economic recovery, promoting sustainability and strategic
autonomy, and strengthening internal cohesion and cooperation will be key
elements in the future role of the EU.

Martín Bosco Sánchez Caro 3D