European Union Timeline

  • Period: to

    Cold War

    The 1950s represent the beginning stages of the Cold War between the East and the West following WWII, beginning with an arms race between the US and the USSR.
  • Treaty of Rome

    The Treaty of Rome establishes the European Economic Community, which was an organization that was supposed to create economic cooperation and free markets for member nations.
  • Paris Riots

    Student riots of Paris and other violence spread across Europe as a part of the "68 generation"
  • Denmark, Ireland, and the UK Join the EU

  • Arab-Israeli War

    This war results in economic issues in Europe due to the involvement of some OPEC connected nations. These issues include an energy crisis and other financial problems.
  • Salazar Regime in Portugal Ends

    Marks the end of the right-wing dictatorships in Europe
  • Death of General Franco of Spain

    Marks the end of the right-wing dictatorships in Europe
  • New Rights for EU Citizens

    All citizens of the European Union can now directly vote for the members of the European Parliament.
  • Greece Joins the EU

    In this year, Greece becomes the 10th country to join the European Union
  • Spain and Portugal Join the EU

  • Single European Act

    This was the first major revision made to the Treaty of Rome, originally signed in 1957. This gave the EC the objective to establish a single market by the end of 1992.
  • Berlin Wall Falls

  • Reunification of East and West Germany

  • Maastricht Treaty Signed

  • Completion of the Single Market

  • Austria, Finland, and Sweden Join the EU

  • Treaty of Amsterdam

  • War on Terror Begins

    The "War on Terror" begins with the September 11th attacks on the United States.
  • More Than 10 New Countries Join EU

    The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the EU with Malta and Cyprus
  • Bulgaria and Romania Join the EU

  • Financial Crisis in Europe

  • Period: to

    New Jobs

    9.4 million new jobs are created for citizens of the EU
  • Treaty of Lisbon

  • Passenger Rights

    During this year, passenger rights are strengthened, the significance of this is demonstrated during an eruption of volcanic ash into the air.
  • EU Wins Nobel Peace Prize

  • Croatia Joins the EU