Why was the EU formed?
I can explain why the European Union was formed.
Why was the EU formed?
I can explain why the European Union was formed.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The EU formed through gradual supranational cooperation, with treaties promoting closer ties between Western Europe.
- Post-WWII there were a number of key treaties that lead to the formation of different unions.
- The formation of the EU has economic, security and social benefits for member countries.
Keywords
Cooperation - working together to achieve the same end
Union - the act of being joined together for political purposes
Common misconception
The EU is the same as the EEC.
The European Economic Community was formed first and is separate from the EU. The EU is the larger union of countries who cooperate on social, economic and security issues. The EEC is mostly focused on the economy of member states.
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: Why was the EU formed?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: Why was the EU formed?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How well has the UK adjusted to its changing relationship with the EU? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf.
Q2.Which of the following describes representative democracy?
Q3.Match the words to their correct definitions.
when the central government makes decisions on the majority of issues
the transfer of political powers from a central government
issues or matters on which the UK Government can decide
Q4.Parliamentary is the principle that Parliament is the supreme legal authority in the UK. Parliament can create, amend or end any UK law.
Q5.Match the word to its definition.
all the people in an area or country who are eligible to vote
the voting process to select a person for a public position
a set of aims by a political party and its plans to achieve them
Q6.What is this describing? A group of people who organise events or actions to achieve an aim, usually to influence public opinion and ultimately change local policy.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which event led to the formation of various unions post-WWII?
Q2.Match the words to the correct definition.
working together to achieve the same end
how safe a country is
state of a region in terms of supply of money and consumption