european common market
C1Formal, Historical, Economic/Political
Definition
Meaning
The original name for the economic union of European countries, founded in 1957, which aimed to create a single market by removing trade barriers between member states.
It is the historical precursor to today's European Union (EU). The term is often used historically to refer to the period and institutions before the EU was formally established. The concept emphasized a customs union and free movement of goods, services, people, and capital.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a proper noun. While 'common market' is a generic economic term, 'European Common Market' (often capitalized) specifically refers to the European Economic Community (EEC) from 1957 to 1993. It's a historical term, largely replaced by 'European Union' or 'Single Market' in contemporary discourse.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, as it is a proper name for a specific historical entity. Both use the term historically. In modern contexts, both prefer 'European Union' or 'EU'.
Connotations
In British English, it may carry specific historical connotations related to the UK's accession in 1973 and subsequent debates about sovereignty and the 'Eurosceptic' movement. In US English, it's more neutrally a historical term for a major trading bloc.
Frequency
Low and declining in both varieties, used primarily in historical, political, or economic texts. The term is largely archaic.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the European Common Market (verb: established/joined/expanded)membership of the European Common Marketaccession to the European Common MarketVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this proper noun]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Historical context: 'UK businesses gained access to a larger consumer base upon joining the European Common Market.'
Academic
Used in political science, economics, and history texts to describe the post-WWII European integration process.
Everyday
Rare. Older generations might say, 'The UK voted to join the Common Market in the 1970s.'
Technical
A specific historical stage in the process of European economic integration, preceding the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The UK voted to join the European Common Market in a 1975 referendum.
- Several nations sought to accede to the Common Market in the 1980s.
American English
- The treaty established the European Common Market to foster economic recovery.
- Countries negotiated for years before entering the Common Market.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The European Common Market is an old name for the EU.
- It started with six countries.
- The European Common Market made trade between France and Germany easier.
- Britain became a member in 1973.
- The founding principle of the European Common Market was the free movement of goods across national borders.
- Critics argued that Common Market rules undermined national sovereignty.
- The evolution from the European Common Market to the European Union entailed a significant transfer of political authority to supranational institutions.
- The Common Market's competition policy was instrumental in dismantling state monopolies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COMMON MARKET stall in EUROPE, but instead of selling fruit, countries are trading goods freely without any tariffs or checkpoints.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CLUB (with rules and membership), A SINGLE ECONOMIC SPACE (a unified area for commerce).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'общеевропейский рынок'. While correct, the standard historical translation is 'Европейское экономическое сообщество (ЕЭС)' or 'Общий рынок' (capitalized as a proper name).
- Do not confuse with 'single market' (единый рынок) which is the modern EU concept, though they are conceptually linked.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to the modern EU (anachronistic).
- Writing in lower case ('european common market') when referring to the specific historical entity.
- Confusing it with the 'Eurozone' (which is about the currency).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a direct historical synonym for 'European Common Market'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is the historical predecessor. The European Common Market (officially the European Economic Community) was formally renamed the European Community (EC) and then, with the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, became one of the three pillars of the European Union.
Its primary goal was to create a customs union with a common external tariff and to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour among its member states, thereby promoting economic integration and political stability in post-war Europe.
The UK, along with Denmark and Ireland, joined the European Common Market on 1 January 1973.
It is a historical term. The project deepened and widened, leading to new treaties (Single European Act, Maastricht Treaty) that created the European Union, which encompasses more than just a common market (e.g., monetary union, common foreign policy, citizenship).