Britain and Europe

1. Britain and Europe

2. Question- Do you regard yourself as European or British? -What is your opinion on the European Union

3. Britain's Troubled relationship with the EU Britain refused to join the -1. European Coal and Steel Community in 1952 2. the European Economic Community in 1957 -Referendum held in 1975 to determine if UK should pull out of EEC- Labour and Conservatives divided – 67% vote YES for Britain remaining in the EEC UK Anti-European parties have formed such as the UK Independence Party -2009 European elections won 13 (16.5%) seats the same a Labour The Sun used this headline in November 1990 Over Jacques Delores attempt to introduce the Euro currency into Britain

5. The EU • Today Britain is part of the European Union • “The European Union (EU) is a partnership of 27 democratic countries, working together for the benefit of all their citizens. It aims to promote social and economic progress among its members, common foreign and security positions, police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters, and European citizenship”.

6. TAST-Members of the EU • Complete anagrams worksheet on the 27 members of the EU

7. Since its creation in 1957 the EU has grown and now had 27 members • Member states • The 27 countries in the EU are listed below, by the year they joined: • 1958 - Belgium, France, (West) Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands • 1973 - Denmark, Ireland, UK • 1981 - Greece • 1986 - Portugal, Spain • 1995 - Austria, Finland, Sweden • 2004 - Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia • 2007 - Romania, Bulgaria • Croatia, Macedonia and Turkey are official candidates to join the EU.

9. Europe Pre 1945 • Britain’s policy towards Europe was ‘splendid isolation’ • Interwar period – Closer ties Europe devastated by WW1 Old empires had now collapsed -Britain's main focus was on her Empire- Acquired Mandates after WW1 -League of Nations- to prevent future conflict from arising Britain followed policy of ‘appeasement’ after WW1 1930 Churchill highlighted Britain's position towards Europe What is Churchill saying in this speech? We see nothing but good and hope in a richer, freer, more contented European commonality. But we have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked but not compromised. We are interested and associated but not absorbed

10. World War Two • Closer ties with Europe was essential -at United Europe was vital Clement Atlee 1940 ‘Europe must federate or perish’ -Britain stressed importance of a strong France

11. Impact of World War Two • Europe devastated by WW2 • Germany had been divided into 4 sections • Much of Europe’s infrastructure had been destroyed • European economies had collapsed

12. European Integration was vital after 1945 How would this occur? -Some simply wanted European nations to co-operate more closely -Others (Federalists) wanted a Politically and Economically United Europe- with a federal system like USA. A United States of Europe?- with a body that is above/superceds individual nations governments

13. Why the need for integration- Benefits? -If European nations combined resources they could recover from the effects of the war- Particularly Coal and Steel -European nations too small to compete- Economically and militarily with USA and USSR -A United Europe would prevent future conflicts from arising- Stop Wars -Act as a Third Force- Between USA and USSR -Nullify the threat from communism

14. Britain's attitude to Europe-Post 1945 • Britain less effected by WW2 than most European Nations • Empire had remained intact- could act alone • Britain’s interests lay elsewhere- Maintaining close relations with USA Maintaining unity within the empire and commonwealth -Empire was needed to improve UK economy Britain had little to gain forming a union with Europe- It was out-producing both France and Germany in 1946

15. 1945- Labour Win general election • Ernest Bevin –Foreign Secretary -Close relationship with USA paramount “In Military and strategic terms there is no question that our relationship with the USA was the priority -Three main pillars of British foreign policy- Commonwealth, Western Europe and the United States Bevan –strong France and Western Germany is vital Believed in the idea of a ‘Third force’ -Idea that Western Europe could act as a powerful international political force along side the USA and USSR whilst remaining independent from them -progress should be steady -Bevin also believed that Britain should develop closer commercial, political and economic links with Europe. However the idea of a ‘third force’ never materialised

16. Where did Britain and Europe differ? Britain Europe INTERGOVERNMENTALISM SUPRANATIONALSIM

17. Intergovernmentalism- a voluntary co-ordination of national governments over policy • Supranationalism- Outside or beyond the authority of one national government, policy controlled by a group of nations Both are parts of the EU today

18. Why did Britain believe in intergovernmentalism? • Britain would be integrating with Europe –without loosing sovereignty • Can maintain close links with Empire/Commonwealth- Trade • No decisions are binding • Decisions can be made between nations face to face

19. European Integration • Treaty of Dunkirk 1947 –Britain and France- protection against future German attack • Treaty of Brussels 1948- Britain, France and Benelux countries- Mutual defence Pre-cursor to N.A.T.O • 1946 Churchill makes speech at Zurich -Calls for European reconciliation between France and Western Germany and a United Europe. -Britain would be ‘Friends and sponsors’ Called for the creation of a Council of Europe

20. 1948 – Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) 16 nations draw up plan to distribute Marshall Aid -Also encouraged trade between members and reduced restrictions/barriers • The Council of Europe 1949 First attempt at political unity –debate pressing issues and make recommendations -14 members (today it has 49) -Had no powers -did not threaten sovereignty of countries

21. The Schuman Plan 1950- French foreign minister –Robert Schuman launched an idea which would become known as ‘the Schuman plan’ -The coal and steel resources of France and Germany should be combined and be administered by a supernatural authority -Eventually all tariffs in these heavy industries would be removed -Aimed to remove national economic barriers in Europe -Primary objective was to ensure France’s security by preventing Germany having total control of the industries that had been at the heart of the war effort. -it was the first major step towards creating a united Europe -In 1952 the plan became a reality with the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. -Britain refused to join the Schuman plan

22. The Pleven Plan • 1950- French Premier –Rene Pleven suggested the formation of a Supranational European Army • Both France and Germany would contribute troops and military resources which will be commanded by a joint French and German body • Planed to created a European Defence Community • Britain and Bevin was opposed to this plan –he though it was militarily naive and threatened the NATO alliance • Concerns in France over the plan – ‘threatened national sovereignty’ • 1954 France rejected the Plevan plan

23. Members of ECSC 1952- European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Created by French Foreign Minister Robert Shuman- ‘Shuman Plan’ Six Nations- France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxemburg, The Netherlands -Pre Cursor to EEC/EU

24. ECSC • All duties and restrictions on trade of Coal, Iron and Steel were removed between the members • Britain refused to join- control of industry would be in the hands of a Supranational organisation • ECSC- was a success- Steel production rose 50% -Debate- Did Britain make a mistake not joining the ECSC

25. Did Britain make a mistake not joining the ECSC? YES No Britain would have to remove her trade barriers Labour government committed to nationalisation of Iron, Coal and Steel May have affected Britain's relationship with US and Commonwealth Britain had the strongest coal and steel industries in Europe –they saw no reason to share this around. Coal and Steel were key to British industrialisation “Britain may of been tying itself to a sinking ship which could pull the UK economy down with it”- Stephen George • ECSC –Was Successful • Could have boosted post war British economy • Closer relationship with Europe- France and Western Germany • Alienated Britain from Europe? • The six members of the ECSC realised that they could forge ahead (European integration) without Britain

26. Why did Britain not want to join in union with Western Europe? • A European trading bloc would be contrary to the doctrine of free trade throughout the world, popular in the United States. • Britain predicted that there would be a world shortage of raw materials and food, and so thought interests lay in preserving trade within the Empire. • Economic Union was seen as a major step towards political union. Britain was not prepared to compromise national sovereignty.

27. Churchill and Eden-Attitude towards Europe • 1950 Ernist Bevin dies. Herbert Morrison becomes Foreign Secretary • He believes that Britain's role should be to watch as other states moved towards Supranationalism • Britain could bridge the gap between European nations and America • 1951 Conservatives win general election- Anthony Eden Becomes Foreign Secretary • Believed in ‘benevolence towards, but non-involvement in supranationality’ • Eden was anxious to see the EDC succed but refused to consider British participation in a supranational community • Nobody in Britain favoured joining a supranational organsation • Winston Churchill-who has traditionally thought to have ‘pro-european attitudes described the EDC as a ‘sludgy amalgam’ • Therefore Britain did not support the EDC • However Eden offered an alternative

28. The Eden Plan Read the sheet on the ‘Eden Plan’ • Create a spider diagram showing some of the key elements of the ‘Eden Plan’

29. Formation of the EEC • 1955 – Six members of the ECSC met at Messina, Sicily to begin a ‘fresh advance towards the building of Europe’ Aim- To establish a customs union that would lead to European integration Britain was invited to join the talks- sent Russell Bretherton as a representative -Britain was reluctant to join any form of a Economic or Political Union Britain displayed a clear disregard for the opportunity to have a leading role in the creation of a united Europe

30. Treaty of Rome • March 1957- Treaty of Rome signed by the Six Members of the ECSC – January 1958 the European Economic Community (EEC) came into existence Member states -France, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, West Germany Luxembourg

32. Britain’s Priorities • To safeguard its relations with the USA. “Our special relationship with the USA would be endangered if the US believed that out influence was less than that of the European community” • To safeguard its relations with the Commonwealth • To safeguard its own political and economic interests. Britain’s strategy was to based on association with, but no membership of the EEC. Britain could not afford, politically, to allow a stronger Europe to overshadow its relationship with the USA • The Creation of the EEC was seen as a challenge to Britain’s global power

33. Britain's main economic aim was to take advantage of tree trade opportunities in Europe, whilst retaining close trading links with the commonwealth • Britain’s political aim was to ensure that non membership of the EEC did not lead to Britain’s isolation • To do this Britain needed to persuade other European states to join a Free Trade association outside of the EEC

34. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) • November 1959- Britain, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal and Austria singed the Stockholm convention- agreed to create the EFTA • Aim -The original purpose of this intergovernmental organisation was to remove customs duties on industrial products in trade among its Member States -Britain saw the EFTA as a way of bringing the EEC six into further talks which might lead to a multilateral trading agreement between the EFTA and EEC members -EFTA would ensure that Britain would maintain it influence in Europe without compromising British National Sovereignty -By joining this group reinforced to the USA and Europe that Britain had no intention of joining the EEC -Today it only consists of 4 members

36. Task –On you map colour in the member states of the European Free Trade Area

37. Britain and the EEC 1961 - 3 • Just two years after the formation of EFTA, the British government announced its intention to apply for admission into the EEC. • Harold Macmillan played a central role Quesion? What was the Wind of Change Speech and why do you think it would be important in terms of Britain's relationship with Europe?

38. Why did Britain want to join the EEC in 1960? 1)Read the sheet provided a) Read section (D) Create a spider diagram showing the reasons by Britain refused membership of the EEC b) Read section (E) Create a spider diagram showing the reasons Britain decided to apply to join the EEC in 1961 2) On the sheet are reasons why Britain applied to join the EEC in 1961, read them and then say whether they are economic or political factors

39. Why did Britain want to join the EEC? • The EEC was expanding rapidly, however British goods were excluded because of the common external tariffs of EEC members • Britain feared that that if she did not join the EEC then her ‘special relationship’ with the US could come under threat – President Eisenhower has shown strong support for the EEC. In 1961 President Kennedy made it clear that ‘relations between the USA and the UK would be strengthened not weakened, if the UK moved forward towards membership of the Six’. A Europe dominated by French influence would not be in the interests of either Britain or the USA. • Trade with the Commonwealth was declining. It became clear that trade with the Commonwealth faced a long-term steady decline. • During the early 1960s it became apparent that the countries of the EEC were growing at a faster rate than Britain for the first time since WW2 • The EFTA only offered Britain limited trade opportunities as their populations were much smaller than those of the EEC • America disapproved of the EFTA as it did not increase political integration and did nothing to help block the spread of Communism • The EFTA had not developed as a viable alternative to the EEC. Some EFTA members, including Britain, were trading more within the EEC than with the EFTA. The EFTA appeared to offer few tangible benefits to its members compared to those offered by the EEC. • Macmillan was keen to ensure that Britain retained its influence as a world power. By 1960 the French were pushing for the development of the EEC as a political Union. If Britain was not to isolate itself from this union in Western Europe then it might damage Britain’s international status. Joining the EEC was necessary ‘to preserve the power and strength of Britain in the world • Since the Suez crisis and the ‘Winds of Change Speech’ Britain no longer believed that it could retain its world status through the commonwealth. Britain therefore needed to become a member of the EEC so it could lead Western Europe, whist also retaining her status as a world power

40. Why did Britain want to join the EEC in 1961? • Macmillan- Pro-European –Britain must enter the EEC because Britain's days as a great power were over • Macmillan- radical change in foreign policy -Macmillan’s application to join the EEC marked a considerable evolution in British attitudes towards Europe -It was inevitable that Britain would join the EEC- Economically the EFTA could not compete

41. Economic • EEC six – Economic growth stimulated by removal of trade barriers • Britain's economic growth slowed considerably Big Business in Britain were now in favour of British Membership of EEC –To provide a stimulus to competition and to encourage investment 29% 1%

42. Political • The Suez Crisis in 1956 –showed Britain was no longer a great power • Macmillan wanted to mend the damaged relations with USA – worried that a strong EEC USA would prefer to deal with Germany instead of Britain • Politically Britain was loosing influence with the commonwealth- looking USA and EEC for trade instead of Britain

43. United States in favour of Britain joining the EEC -Kennedy pressurises Macmillan to apply to join -it was vital that the EEC developed in line with American political and European interests –Britain’s membership would achieve this -USA did not want an EEC dominated by France- they then may turn away from NATO -Britain needed US nuclear technology so would have to agree with the USA

44. Macmillan and the Conservatives • Macmillan –Changed Britain's policy- closer ties with Europe -Believed joining EEC was best way of maintaining Britain's world status -Divisions in Conservative Party over Europe- pro-Europeans were promoted into the cabinet -Entrance into EEC could help to heal this division In reality it would start the debate and would be the beginning of the problems caused by Europe in British Party politics

45. The Best of Both worlds?-Britain Vs France -Britain was not fully committed to many elements of the EEC Britain wanted special arrangements made to cover Commonwealth trade and the EFTA Both Britain and France wanted to lead Europe -France wanted a strong Europe to be independent from USA whilst Britain wanted the opposite –’third force’ -France wanted to pursue closer relations with USSR -Wanted separate French force- withdrew from NATO -So for France and its President Charles De Gaulle it was better for them if Britain stayed out

46. Britain would only enter EEC ‘if the conditions were right’ • EEC members divided over changes- Macmillan stated he would support France • France did not have their own nuclear weapons –Macmillan tried to negotiate with De Gaulle offering to come to a Nuclear deal- in return for membership -deal fell though as America would supply the weapons

47. Task • Complete the worksheet

48. French Veto 1963 – French President –Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain’s entry. “England is, in effect, insular, maritime, linked through trade, markets and food supply to very diverse and very distant countries...the question is to know if Great Britain can at present place itself with the continent and like it, within a tariff that is truly common, give up all preference with regard to the Commonwealth, cease to claim that is agriculture to be privileged and even more consider null and void the commitments it has made with the countries that are part of its free trade area” What is de Gaulle saying in this speech?

49. -Britain's financial situation even worse than 1961 -Wilsons Labour government forced to obtain loan from IMF to bolster Britan’s gold reserves -Traditionally anti-European (Labour) Wilson sees no option but to apply to join the EEC -Britain had less to negotiate with • Britain applies to join EEC again in 1967 This time the 5 other members favour Britain’s entry- they wanted to counter the domination of France and Germany However France’s refusal blocks this and Britain’s application is rejected again by de Gaulle -1969 de Gaulle falls from power in France- stumbling block now removed Britain applies to join EEC for a third time and is accepted

50. Britain’s Entry into Europe 1973 Read the sheet provided and answer the following questions • How had the situation in 1969 changed that allowed Britain to attempt to join the EEC? • When did Britain join the EEC • Who played a crucial role in Britain joining the EEC? • What weaknesses did Britain have that weakened their bargaining position in 1972? • Why could • What did the members of the EEC demand that Britain must do before they would accept their application? • Why was Britain's membership into Europe seen as an irreversible moment? • Create a spider diagram showing the advantages and disadvantages of Britain joining the EEC in 1973 • What had Heath hoped Britain's entry to the EEC would allow him to do?