As France and West Germany took the first stage toward economic unity, they agreed to share their coal and steel resources in 1950. Soon, the other nations such as Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands participated with France and West Germany’s agreement. These nations established the European Coal and Steel Community together. The European Coal and Steel Community was successful in the late 1950s, and the nations established two more organizations, which are the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community. The European Atomic Community allowed the nations to produce nuclear energy for peaceful uses. The European Economic Community created a common market for all nations. These three communities formed the European Community, which has extended to include Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, and Portugal.
The European Community leads the world in economic power. It makes more goods than the United States, and it is the largest importer and exporter of goods in the world. The combined imports and exports of the European Community form a large percentage of the World’s trade. The European Community exports almost 20% of goods and it imports 22.40% of its products for consumers. The European Community has achieved important accomplishments in the World’s Trade. They continue to goods and services among countries, and taxes on products traded among the countries of the European Community have been abolished.
European nations have gained economic strength from European unity during the 21st century. In 1881, in Maastricht, Netherlands, the leaders of the European Community called to remove all remaining blockages to free trade between countries of the European Community. People, goods, services, money, and transportation freely moved between countries. Additionally, the European Community citizens had the rights to live anywhere in the Community and vote in European elections because of their citizenship of the union. In 1997, Europe started working towards adopting a single currency among the nations.
The twelve European countries have joined together to establish the European Community to economically compete with Japan, the United States, and other countries. The European Community has a successful history, and it is formed by three organizations together, which are the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Atomic Energy Community, and the European Economic Community. It is the largest importer and exporter of goods in the world, even surpassing the United States. The European Community citizens have the rights to live anywhere in the Community and vote in European elections because of their citizenship in Europe. In conclusion, the European Community is one of the most successful trading blocs.