Definition
European integration began in the aftermath of World War II. Founding members of the Community first pooled their heavy industries. They then set about creating a single market in which goods, services, people and capital move about as freely as within one country. The process was a gradual one spanning 40 years and covering political and social as well as economic and trade dimensions. As they completed the single market, which formally came into being in January 1993, the Member States also prepared for the future. The Maastricht Treaty on European Union took effect on 1 November 1993. It strengthens the Community further, most notably by preparing the way for economic and monetary union (EMU) and a single currency and by giving extra power to the European Parliament. But Maastricht also added a common foreign and security policy and cooperation on justice and police affairs. The term 'European Union' is used to describe the wider Maastricht framework in which all these activities - old and new - take place.
The European Union - Provides a brief summary on the history of the EU - "What is the European Union?"
European Economic Community (EEC) - As included in Chapter 1, Article 102a. of the Maastricht Treaty
EU structure - Provides introduction to the EU, its Parliment, its organization and powers, and its responsibilites
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Provides a text summary of EFTA
European Investment Bank - Home page to the Investment Bank
Nordic Council - Nordic Council home page with links to background information about the Council
European Union (EU) - Link to EU home page with many more links providing info/history on the EU
Map of Countries in the European Union - Map with geogrpahical links to countries under the EU
European central bank - Articles 4.a and 106 amending Maastricht Treaty to create ECB in 1997
Western European Union (WEU) - Direct link to Western European Home Page
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) - Links to EBRD Home Page
Return to Previous Page Last Updated: 03/29/2001
UC Davis International Relations