Britain and Europe

Question 1

What does the EEC stand for?

Answer 1

European Economic Community

Question 2

Why was it formed?

Answer 2

It was formed to

• avoid another war
• for economic reconstruction and recovery
• for economic and military cooperation

Question 3

What is said to be their main achievement?

Answer 3

To establish basic human rights, which lead to the foundation of the European Court of Human Rights.

Question 4

What form of industry was greatly encouraged to be led in cooperation ?

Answer 4

The coal and steel industry. (These two products are essential to wage war, they therefore compromised and strengthened the countries in cooperation while tying them together)

Question 5

What was Britain’s post-war trading strategy and why didn’t it involve Europe?

Answer 5

Britain’s post war trading strategy revolved around Commonwealth and the USA. They were not convinced of the urgency in creating a European Union.

Question 6

When did the two Rome treaties mark the creation of the European Economic Community?

Answer 6

1957.

Question 7

What did the treaties of Rome encourage?

Answer 7

• free movement of labour, goods and capital
• common economic and financial policies
• to one day attempt to equal superpowers.

Question 8

Why was the European Atomic Community - Euratom - created?

Answer 8

Euratom was set up with a high authority to develop the peaceful application of nuclear power.

Question 9

What purpose did the European Investment Bank have?

Answer 9

It’s purpose was to help to finance project work, particularly in less privileged areas of the EEC.

Question 10

What is CAP?

Answer 10

CAP is the Common Agricultural Policy. It came about when agriculture was a declining industry. However, it had many negative environmental impacts, and heavy subsidies led to surpluses.

Question 11

What, from an economic point of view, changed Britain’s mind about EEC?

Answer 11

Britain’s economy had performed weakly throughout the 50s and 60s, while the Six in EEC had undergone a strong economic growth.

Question 12

Why was Britain reluctant to join at first?

Answer 12

Because it meant losing privileges including the Commonwealth, EFTA and relations with the USA.

Question 13

Who played a major role in the refusal of Britain?

Answer 13

DeGaulle. He was suspicious as to Britain’s motives, believed it would never be willing to give up it’s economic privileges, and was also convinced of a possible USA influence on Europe through UK.

Question 14

When was Britain finally accepted?

Answer 14

After DeGaulle’s retirement, in 1973.

Question 15

What was the answer to the UK referendum of 1975, which demanded if it was preferable to the British to stay in the trade union or not?

Answer 15

Yes. 67% of the British voted to stay in Europe.

Question 16

What were the consequences of Britain staying in Europe?

Answer 16

• No longer able to buy cheap food from the Commonwealth.
• The CAP raised the price of food in Britain.
• The Common Fisheries Policy restricted Britain’s right to fish on traditional grounds, which led to the virtual destruction of Britain’s fishing industry.

Question 17

What was the general feeling in Britain about Europe in the time?

Answer 17

That Britain was contributing more than it was it was receiving. For instance in the early 80s Britain was paying 20% of the revenue raised by the EEC but only receiving 8% of it’s expenditure.

Question 18

How much did Britain gain on an economical standpoint regarding it’s membership?

Answer 18

Very little, especially as 1973 coincided with the Oil Crisis which restricted the British Economy. British exports even began to decline after 1973.

Question 19

What was Margaret Thatcher’s quote in regard to Britain’s European membership?

Answer 19

“We are simply asking to have our money back.” and “No, no, no.” in respect of moves towards the European integration in the aftermaths of an EU summit.

Question 20

What were Thatcher’s beliefs when it came to Europe ?

Answer 20

She was pro-Europe but anti-centralist and anti-federalist. She insisted on not surrendering the English currency , and desired to maintain national pride, identity and (certain) political traditions.

Question 21

What did the Maastricht Treaty impose?

Answer 21

The Maastricht treaty marked the creation of the European UNION (and all that that entails) and led to the single European Currency: the euro.
It also introduced European citizenship, and launched European cooperation in foreign affairs, security, asylum, and immigration.

Question 22

What did the UK opt out of in the Maastricht treaty?

Answer 22

Schengen and the Euro.

Question 23

What devaluated the Pound sterling after the 1980s?

Answer 23

An unstable market.

Question 24

What happened in Europe between 1989 and 1991?

Answer 24

The communist countries of Eastern Europe collapsed, which led to destabilising fragmentation in the USSR.

Question 25

When and what was the Schengen pact ?

Answer 25

1995, France Germany, Spain and Benelux countries were the first to drop the border controls. (Except on the EU’s external borders) They were followed by Austria, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Greece, but not Ireland or the UK.

Question 26

When did the Euro come into existence and in how many countries adopted it as their official currency ?

Answer 26

1999 - 11 countries.

Question 27

The EU and NATO have expanded where since?

Answer 27

East.

Question 28

What has this democratic expansion began to create?

Answer 28

Tensions vis-à-vis Russia, who believes the EU is beginning to step on it’s natural sphere of influence.