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.
Link copied to clipboard
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.
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.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
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
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
Exit quiz
6 Questions
working together to achieve the same end
how safe a country is
state of a region in terms of supply of money and consumption