Britain And The European Union

Britain And The European Union

    Following the two disastrous World Wars, of the first half of the 20th century, most of European leaders became convinced that the only way to establish an eternal peace was to unite France and Germany, economically and politically. Although invited to join in, Britain, not ready to lose its sovereignty & being eurosceptic, declined. Thus, Britain’s economic down fall in the 60’s led her to a U-turn in its policy, & finally to its late integration into the EEC leaving the two major parties in great divisions.

  In fact, after all the human losses and the physical destruction caused by an aggressive Germany, the creation of a European Union was vital back then. In other terms, by tying the German economic interests with those of Europe, Germany’s economy would start to be dependant to the European countries’ one as well, and therefore the former nazists’ country would be at last, neutralized. This was at least the main French Stimuli. As for the other members of the union, Germany & Italy were eager to tie their country to other democracies and to develop its economy respectively.

  Indeed the first treaty illustrating this union, was the one of Paris in 1951 known as the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) , bringing together six member states ; France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands .This organization, based on Jean Monnet’s plan, set up a High Authority in order to manage the coal and steel industries in a common market, which was quite significant knowing that both of these materials are the backbone of any industrialized economy. Yet, with this treaty came the first British refusal in joining this new European bus.

  Furthermore the second & main core of the European Union was the EEC (European Economic Community) & the EAEC (European Atomic Energy Community) both established under the treaty of Rome and signed by the Six’ in 1975 removing at last any barriers between them in order to create a wider common market and compete with the US’ economy. Once more, Britain refused to sign the treaty and satisfied itself by creating the European free trade association (EFTA) with the non-EEC countries to secure access to European trading privileges.

  However these successive refusals, according to the Britons, were clearly founded. Undoubtedly, Britain was suspicious about the efficiency of such European projects in the long run.

  At the political level by declining the Schuman plan, consisting of the foundation of the ECSC, the UK had no interest in supranational institutions in Europe, but rather intended to maintain its special relationships with both the USA and the Commonwealth to ensure its economic and political future. More to the point, the British Empire had always rejected the loss of its imperial power after the Second World War, hence, it certainly did not accept to bend down to any centralized European institution. Following this nationalistic spirit the British politicians did not believe in the success of Europe, but even perceived the ECSC as a French conspiracy meant to steal its leader role.

  At a strategic level, Britain did not share France’s fear of Germany, or have any Fascist past to expunge. Not to mention, its island position & power status that kept it apart from the rest of Europe.

  At the economic level, the UK still possessed competitive coal & steel industries in the 50’s, which made its industrial production greater than both of Germany & France combined. Let’s not forget Britain still did have half its trade with the Commonwealth, & joining any European cooperation would harm Britain’s economy.

  Still, this economic boost did not last too long. The economic British performance was worsening in comparison to the rest of Western Europe and the bond with US was weakening. Consequently, Britain made a drastic U-turn by changing its policy about Europe.

                      
  In fact, the British economists started to believe that the integration within the EEC would be a good stimulus for the economy, bringing foreign investment, allowing large scale production & access to a larger free market.

  Politically, fearing that Britain would be isolated from Europe, politicians started to think that an EEC membership would enlarge the political influence of Britain throughout the world.

  More to the point, Britain actually lacked means & allies to break the EEC. So in order to reshape & influence its policies from within, Britain had only but to become one of its members. In addition to that, its membership could bring economic & international benefits to this post imperial disintegrated Britain.

  As a first entry bid into the EEC in 1963, Britain was voted against by General de Gaulle. This latter not only announces that Britain integration will be a threat to the cohesion of this community but also thought that she was not truly committed to this European unity. Not to mention that De Gaulle resented the relationship between Britain & the USA & wanted above all to maintain its dominance on Europe. In this vein, the second British attempt of integration made in 1967 was also unheard & vetoed by De Gaulle.
                            1 January 1973: Britain enters Europe

  When De Gaulle stepped down from power in 1969, Britain was finally admitted among the EEC organization in 1973. The grounds for this success, were also the determination of Heath to make compromises to join this European institution the decay of the Commonwealth & the Six’ will to enlarge the EEC.

  Nevertheless, with this separation from Europe & more specifically from the EEC at its outset, Britain was left behind unable to take the wheel within this European Community.

    In conclusion, Britain held to its imperial power status and has always been a reluctant and difficult partner considering that its relationship between her and the European Union (EU) has never been warm. Albeit, it had joined the integrationist route, Britain remained & still until today, eurosceptic.