1.15 Foreign Policy: Britain and Europe

Question 1

How did France and Britain’s perspectives on European cooperation contrast?

Answer 1

France sought economic cooperation to strengthen itself and control Germany within a wider European framework. Britain supported German economic growth, leading to significant division between the two.

Question 2

Why did British policy differ from other European countries post-WWII?

Answer 2

Bevin believed in European cooperation to bolster Britain’s global role but was cautious of centralized power. The Anglo-American alliance couldn’t be compromised. Britain and mainland Europe had divergent post-war experiences.

Question 3

What was the Schuman Plan and its significance?

Answer 3

Proposed by Robert Schuman, it suggested a single authority to control coal and steel production in France and West Germany. This initiative led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, marking a crucial step in European integration.

Question 4

What was the primary goal of the Treaty of Paris in 1951?

Answer 4

The treaty aimed to create the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) to foster reconciliation between France and Germany and establish a single market for coal and steel among member nations.

Question 5

Why did Britain not join the talks in 1950 that led to the ECSC?

Answer 5

Britain opted out due to concerns about surrendering national sovereignty and differing economic conditions in its coal and steel industries.

Question 6

What were the main reasons given by British leaders for not joining the ECSC?

Answer 6

British leaders prioritized consolidating the Commonwealth, nurturing a close relationship with the USA, and believed that Britain’s interests were more global than European.

Question 7

What were some criticisms leveled against Britain for not joining the ECSC?

Answer 7

Critics argued that Britain missed an opportunity and that failure to join was seen as a significant post-war mistake, as it limited potential benefits and influence within Europe.

Question 8

What concerns did British leaders have about joining the ECSC or later the EEC?

Answer 8

Worries centered around issues of supranationalism, fears about the effectiveness of the ECSC, and reservations about surrendering national control over industries and policy-making.

Question 9

What was Churchill’s stance on Britain’s involvement in a European Federation?

Answer 9

Churchill believed Britain should not become an integral part of a European Federation. He emphasized Britain’s role as a world power and sought to maintain a link between America, the Commonwealth, and Europe.

Question 10

What was the European Defence Community (EDC), and why did Churchill call it a ‘sludgy amalgam’?

Answer 10

The EDC aimed to create a European army and allow Germany to rearm under NATO. Churchill referred to it as a ‘sludgy amalgam’ due to its complexities and likely because it didn’t align with his vision for Britain’s role in Europe.

Question 11

How did Eden navigate Britain’s relationship with the EDC?

Answer 11

Eden worked to prevent Britain from being seen as undermining the EDC while maintaining a stance of benevolence toward supranationalism. He aimed to encourage the European army while avoiding too close an integration of Britain with the continent.

Question 12

What was the outcome of the EDC?

Answer 12

The EDC faced failure as the French, who initially proposed it, changed their minds and voted against it. This led to disappointment for the US and confirmed some of Britain’s doubts about the feasibility of a European army.

Question 13

What steps did Britain take regarding the EDC despite its failure?

Answer 13

Despite the EDC’s collapse, Britain signed a fifty-year mutual security treaty with the six nations involved, maintaining some level of cooperation and security commitment despite not being part of the EDC itself.

Question 14

What did Butler declare about the Messina Talks?

Answer 14

The Chancellor, Butler, declared he was ‘bored’ by the talks and that Eden was ‘even more bored than I was’

Question 15

What was the Western European Union (WEU) about?

Answer 15

The WEU was a group of countries that wanted to work together without a bossy leader. They agreed that West Germany could have an army under NATO, and Britain said it would keep some soldiers and planes in Europe.

Question 16

What happened during the Messina Talks in 1955?

Answer 16

People talked about making more deals like the European Coal and Steel Community for things like energy and transport. Britain joined in but didn’t like how things were going.

Question 17

What did Britain want during the Messina Talks?

Answer 17

Britain joined to try to steer the discussions, not give up control. They cared more about trade with the whole world and their friendship with other countries.

Question 18

What happened after Britain joined the Messina Talks?

Answer 18

Britain didn’t like where the talks were going, so they left the meetings. Then they made their own plan called Plan G.

Question 19

What was the goal of Britain’s Plan G?

Answer 19

Plan G was what Britain made after leaving the talks. It was their way of saying, “We want to trade freely with everyone and stay close to our friends in the Commonwealth, not just Europe.”

Question 20

What was Plan G all about?

Answer 20

Plan G was a way for Britain to do free trade with some European countries without joining a big group like the EEC. It was less about working closely together and more about trading freely.

Question 21

What was special about Plan G compared to the EEC?

Answer 21

Unlike the EEC, Plan G didn’t try to merge economies or have strong rules. It let Britain control its own trade and didn’t force them to choose between Europe and their other friends.

Question 22

Why did Britain make Plan G?

Answer 22

Britain wanted to trade freely without getting too involved with Europe. They thought Europe needed them more than they needed Europe.

Question 23

What happened after Britain walked away from the Spaak Committee?

Answer 23

The Spaak Committee made deals for an atomic energy group (Eurotam) and the EEC without Britain. Britain had its own Plan G but missed chances to shape the original deals.

Question 24

What happened after Britain didn’t join the EEC?

Answer 24

Instead of joining the EEC, Britain formed the EFTA, a smaller trade group. But by not joining the EEC, Britain missed chances to guide it and control its future developments. Later on, Britain started feeling pressure to lean more towards Europe.

Question 25

Why did Macmillan consider joining the EEC in 1963?

Answer 25

Some historians think it was because Europe was becoming really important for Britain’s place in the world. Others say it was about trade worries and improving the economy.

Question 26

What was mentioned in Macmillan’s Grand Design memo of 1960?

Answer 26

The memo talked about how joining the EEC could be super important for Britain and might even replace its position in a big alliance.

Question 27

What political reasons influenced Macmillan’s application?

Answer 27

Being part of the EEC was seen as the best way for Britain to stay influential globally. Also, fixing the relationship with America after the Suez Crisis was a big deal.

Question 28

How did the economy play a role in the decision to join the EEC?

Answer 28

Britain was seeing more trade with Europe than with the Commonwealth for the first time in 1961. Joining the EEC was seen as a way to boost the economy because the EEC countries were growing fast.

Question 29

Why were some Conservative MPs worried about joining the EEC?

Answer 29

A: They were concerned that the EEC’s agricultural policy might hurt farmers in rural areas and limit cheaper imports from the Commonwealth, affecting living costs in Britain.

Question 30

What were the concerns related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)?

Answer 30

The CAP could restrict cheaper imports from the Commonwealth, make British purchases more expensive, and change how farming support worked, potentially hurting ties with the Commonwealth.

Question 31

How did objections to the EEC cross political lines?

Answer 31

Both Conservative nationalists and some Labour MPs worried about losing sovereignty. There were concerns about the impact on Commonwealth trade and Britain’s independent foreign policy.

Question 32

What was Gaitskell’s stance on the Commonwealth and the EEC?

Answer 32

Gaitskell supported the Commonwealth and was less committed to joining the EEC. He argued for an independent foreign policy and national economic planning.

Question 33

Why did de Gaulle oppose Britain’s entry into the EEC?

Answer 33

De Gaulle was suspicious of Britain’s ties with the US and believed Britain’s entry would threaten France’s leadership in the EEC. He wanted to maintain France’s independence and viewed supranational organizations with suspicion.

Question 34

How did the nuclear defense talks with the US affect Britain’s application?

Answer 34

Britain’s deal with the US for Polaris missiles made Britain’s dependence on America apparent. This created ties between France and the US, which further complicated Britain’s entry into the EEC.

Question 35

How did the failure to make concessions impact Britain’s EEC application?

Answer 35

The failure to compromise over Commonwealth Preference and ongoing discussions over agriculture strengthened de Gaulle’s opposition and made Britain’s application appear half-hearted.

Question 36

What were the consequences of the failed application for Britain?

Answer 36

The failure caused public humiliation and damaged Britain’s image domestically and internationally. It contributed to the end of Macmillan’s premiership, gave leverage to the Labour Party, and indicated that Britain would need to reapply with reduced bargaining power.