Notes for World History
BRITAIN’S JOINING OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
Earlier Britain refused to join the community for the following reasons:
- If it joined the Community, it would no longer be in complete control of its economy.
- It also feared that its membership of the Community would damage its relationship with the Commonwealth as well as its relations with USA.
- British politicians feared that economic unity would lead to politician unity and the loss of British sovereignty.
Reasons for Britain joining the European Community later:
- By 1961, it was obvious that European Economic Community (EEC) was an outstanding success. French and German production had drastically increased.
- Over the same period, Britain’s economy was much less successful.
- The rival group EFTA led by Britain was not as successful as EEC.
- The Commonwealth, in spite of its huge population, did not have the same purchasing power as the EEC.
- Competition from other EEC members was expected to stimulate British industry to greater effort and efficiency.
Reasons for French opposition to British entry:
- It thought that Britain had too many economic problems and would weaken the EEC.
- France feared losing the domination of the Community after Britain’s entry.
- France believed that Britain’s close ties with USA would lead to USA’s domination of European affairs.
- Britain’s agriculture was highly efficient and subsidized. If this continued after Britain’s entry, French farmers, with their smaller and less efficient farms, would be exposed to competition from Britain.
