Explanation of "European Community"
Definition:
The "European Community" (often abbreviated as EC) refers to an international organization made up of European countries. It was created after World War II to help these countries work together more closely. The main goals of the European Community were to reduce trade barriers (which are rules that make it harder to buy and sell goods between countries) and to increase cooperation among its member countries.
Usage Instructions:
Context: You would typically use "European Community" when discussing European politics, economics, or history.
Form: It is a noun and should be used when talking about the organization itself.
Example Sentence:
Advanced Usage:
Word Variants:
European Union (EU): The successor to the European Community that includes a broader range of member states and policies.
European Integration: A term used to describe the process of countries in Europe coming together to cooperate more closely.
Different Meanings:
In a historical context, "European Community" specifically refers to the organization before it became the European Union.
In a more general context, "community" can refer to any group of people living in a specific area or sharing common interests.
Synonyms:
European Union (EU) (in a modern context, as it replaced the EC)
Common Market: Refers to the economic part of the European Community, focusing on trade.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
Summary:
The European Community was an important step in bringing European countries together after World War II to foster economic and political cooperation.