Foreign Developments: Relationship with Europe

Question 1

What did De Gaulle tell Britain they needed to do to join the EEC?

Answer 1

British entry to Europe would require abandoning the Commonwealth and the Special Relationship

Question 2

What did De Gaulle say to his country after denying Britain EEC entry?

Answer 2

He exclaimed that Macmillan visibly cried

Question 3

What is significant about how De Gaulle described Macmillan?

Answer 3

It showed the little respect for the once very powerful Britain

Question 4

Why were British politicians suspicious of ‘supranational’ organisations like the EEC?

Answer 4

They did not want to pool all of their industries into these as they felt they’d lose control over them

Question 5

What did Churchill want for Europe?

Answer 5

He wanted a United States of Europe

Question 6

What was a limitation of Churchill’s wishes for Europe?

Answer 6

It created a more emotional response instead

Question 7

What did Eden propose for Europe?

Answer 7

He wanted a Western European Union

Question 8

What would the WEU have done?

Answer 8

Created a non-supranational alliance

Question 9

What was a positive impact of Eden’s proposals?

Answer 9

It won Eden a lot of prestige

Question 10

What was a limitation of Eden’s proposals? Why?

Answer 10

Europe did not adopt the proposals, feeling Britain may lead the WEU process

Question 11

Name 2 EEC Countries

Answer 11

France, Italy

Question 12

When did the EEC become a proper organisation?

Answer 12

1957

Question 13

What did Britain propose to rival the EEC? What was unique about it?

Answer 13

European Free Trade Association. No external tarriff on the rest of the world

Question 14

What were the key terms of the EEC when it was founded?

Answer 14

Common Agricultural Policy
Common Market Establishment

Question 15

What is a Common Agricultural policy?

Answer 15

System ending rural poverty where poor areas are given some money from rich areas and high food prices

Question 16

What percentage of all British Exports went to the Commonwealth around 1957?

Answer 16

40%

Question 17

In the EEC, how much had French production risen from 1953-61? And Germany? Britain?

Answer 17

France 75%
Germany 90%
Britain 30%

Question 18

How might the decolonisation process made Britain more inclined to join the EEC?

Answer 18

They were making less money from the Empire

Question 19

How did the Decolonisation process also help ability to join the EEC?

Answer 19

There would not be Commonwealth obstruction if Britain was to now join the EEC

Question 20

What was the balance of payments deficit in 1960? Why significant to needing to join the EEC?

Answer 20

£270 million. Cheaper import tariffs as more trade was happening with Europe than the Empire now

Question 21

What was the result of Macmillans application?

Answer 21

It was vetoed by De Gaulle in 1963

Question 22

What were the other EEC countries opinion on British entry?

Answer 22

They wanted Britain to join the EEC

Question 23

How did the Commonwealth impact the EEC denial?

Answer 23

De Gaulle felt there would be too many obstructions with the Commonwealth

Question 24

What was a limitation of what De Gaulle said about Commonwealth obstruction?

Answer 24

EEC recently agreed to provide economic aid to former French Colonies in Africa

Question 25

What was the long term significance of this veto for Britain?

Answer 25

They would be out of European affairs for another 10 years and not be able to achieve economic stability