2.9 Wilson and the EEC Flashcards
Who did Wilson want to focus on making connections with?
Commonwealth and the US
What did Gaitskell say of joining the EEC in 1962?
It would mean ‘the end of Britain as an independent European state…the end of a thousand years of history’
What year did Wilson reapply to the EEC?
1967
Who was keen to resolve relations with Britain?
‘The Friendly Five’
Who was George Brown?
First Secretary of State (64-66)
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (66-68)
What did George Brown want to create?
A politically integrated Europe capable of standing up to the Americans
Why did George Brown want an integrated Europe?
- He did not think the Commonwealth was a good base of power
- He did not want to join an Anglo-American trade zone
- He made the DEA the leading organisation in pro-European policy
How did the left of the Labour Party respond to Wilson’s application?
They insisted it would increase food prices and damage the balance of payments
What did the left regard the EEC as?
A capitalist club
By 1965-67, did the public want membership or not?
They wanted membership
Who was the pro-market leader for the Tories?
Edward Heath
What is supranationalism?
The state or condition of transcending national boundaries, authorities, or interests
Why did Wilson want supranationalism reduced?
It was more palatable
What was the Empty Chair Crisis?
French boycott of the EEC in protest
What did the Empty Chair Crisis give members?
A right of veto on important national matters
What did Wilson think he and de Gaulle could build?
A Europe of States
True or false: Wilson gave free rein to the debate on entry to the EEC
True
What did Healey accuse de Gaulle of being?
A bad ally
Why did Healey accuse de Gaulle of being a bad ally?
de Gaulle withdrew troops from NATO
What did Healey have to do after calling de Gaulle a bad ally?
Publicly apologise
What did the French say had to happen to British currency before they could enter the EEC?
Devalued
Why were the French worried about economic problems?
The UK’s economic problems led to a package of deflationary measures
After the July Crisis was Wilson more openly pro-market or anti-market?
Pro-market
What did Wilson need to do?
-Placate pro-marketeers
-Placate anti-marketeers
- Please President Johnson
- Shore up British economy
- Gain influence over EEC policies
Who spoke of a united Europe in NATO
President Johnson
Did Wilson gain a majority in commons to reapply to the EEC?
Yes
What did de Gaulle announce in May 1967?
British membership would upset the EEC
Who was de Gaulle concerned about?
Britain’s relationship with the USA
In June, how did other EEC members feel about the application?
Favoured British entry but did not want to alienate France
What happened in 1967 that dampened Wilson’s application?
He was forced to devalue the pound
What global event caused problems with the British economy?
6 Day War (Arab-Israeli conflict)
How did de Gaulle criticise Wilson for ‘hasty’ entry?
He believed he was only doing it to resolve economic problems
Was Britain allowed to join the EEC in 1967?
No
What did de Gaulle do to stop British entry into the EEC?
Vetoed it
How had Wilson overestimated his abilities?
He thought he could manipulate de Gaulle
Who was Wilson blamed by?
The left and right of the party
When did de Gaulle resign?
1969
Why was de Gaulle’s resignation hopeful for Britain?
It left proposals open for the Conservative government in 1970
