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The Union Of The European Union Essay

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On the morning of June 24, 2016, Britain announced that after a nationwide vote, it would be leaving the European Union. In what has since become known as Brexit, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which 52 percent of the voting-eligible population chose in favor of the country’s departure from the 28 country politico-economic union. When this political issue is analyzed, it is important to understand the reasoning behind Britain’s decision and the many factors that drove them to this resolution. The people of the United Kingdom decided to leave the European Union based on economic and immigration concerns, but ultimately their main goal was to preserve their country’s identity. A movement toward unity in Europe was first expressed following the mass devastation that World War II left on Europe. Many Europeans felt that a unification of the nation states would provide a sense of collective security and would prevent another catastrophe similar to that of World War II. In 1950, the Schuman Plan, authored by French prime minister Robert Schuman, was presented to various European nations. The project proposed to unite the coal and steel industries of France and Germany in an attempt to find a guarantee for European peace. In 1952, the plan took action, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, the first European common market. The union was comprised of six countries and that did not include Great Britain, who declined to participate. In 1958, more steps were

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