After the WW II, many European countries faced serious financial crises. European leaders met together to find out ways of conning out of this problem. At this time the Cold War between the US and USSR had started. America gave a lot of financial help to Europe. It is known as the Marshall Plan. Under NATO, America also signed a security treaty.
In 1948, under the Marshal Plan, “European Economic Cooperation” was founded. Its aim was to help West European countries. It became a fellowship and the member countries decided to cooperate in trade and other economic problems. For political cooperation, in 1949, “Council of Europe” was established. The unity among members finally led to the formation of European Economic Community in 1957. The coming of the European Parliament made the organization very strong. The disintegration of the USSR quickened the pace of the growth of the European Union which was established in 1992.
It helped in having a common foreign policy, law and justice and internal affairs. It also brought out a common currency the “Euro”, European Union became the world largest’ economic system. According to the statistics of 2005, their GDP was 12 trillion dollars. This is more than the economy of America. Euro is stronger than American dollar. EU has become an important part of the WTO. European Union has great political and diplomatic importance. Britain and France which are its members have permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Therefore the EU can influence in the formation of important policies.
For example, the nuclear programme of Iran. Militarily EU has the second position in the world. Britain and France are also nuclear powers. In space research and communication, the EU occupies the second place.
The resistance against the US hegemony emerged not only in developed countries (EU) but also in developing countries. Identify this Organisation and prepare a short note about its objectives and functions.
ASEAN. The South Eastern Asian countries had to suffer the economic and political consequences of the colonialism by Europe and Japan. After the WW II, poverty and economic backwardness forced these countries to join one of the superpowers. Then there was the Bandung Conference and Non Aligned Movement came into existence. Even then problems were not solved. Therefore these countries joined together and formed an organization called ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).
It was formed in 1967. Five countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand , signed the Bangkok Declaration. Later Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1985), Myanmar (1997) and Cambodia (1999) became members of ASEAN.
Aims:
Quickening economic growth, bring about social and cultural development. Bring about regional peace according to the UN laws, and establish stability.
