What was the goal of the Maastricht Treaty?

The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, aimed primarily to establish the European Union (EU) and laid the groundwork for the introduction of a single currency, the euro. It marked a significant step in European integration, moving beyond mere economic cooperation to include political and social dimensions. The treaty provided a framework for deeper economic collaboration, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital across member states.

The reference to the establishment of a single currency is particularly crucial. The Maastricht Treaty set the criteria that member states needed to meet to adopt the euro, which symbolized a unification of the economies within Europe. Therefore, this treaty is a cornerstone in the creation and development of a more integrated Europe, including aspects such as common citizenship and collaborative foreign policy initiatives.

In contrast, while other options touch upon significant topics of international relations and economic cooperation, they do not accurately reflect the comprehensive objectives inherent in the Maastricht Treaty. For instance, the treaty did not focus on creating a military alliance, dissolving existing trade barriers in the way previous agreements had done, nor aimed to strengthen the United Nations, which operates independently of the EU framework. Therefore, the goal articulated in the second choice captures the essence of the Maastricht Treaty and its impact