Schuman Plan (1950) Flashcards
What challenges did Britain face in the post-war period?
Reduced trading links and lost military power.
What was the Schuman Plan (1950)?
A plan for French and German industries (coal and steel) to join forces to aid post-war reconstruction.
What major European organization did the Schuman Plan lead to?
It was the foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC).
Why didn’t Britain join the Schuman Plan initially?
Britain did not want another political tie with Europe.
How did Britain and the US view the Schuman Plan?
They supported it as a way to help Europe recover post-war, especially during the Cold War.
Did Britain join the EEC at its founding?
No, Britain did not join at first.
Why did Britain prioritize itself over joining the Schuman Plan?
Britain wanted to focus on its own recovery rather than investing in other countries’ problems.
What alliances did Britain prioritize over Europe?
Britain wanted to strengthen ties with the Commonwealth and the US, not Europe.
How did political and media support influence Britain’s decision?
There was little support from politicians or journalists for joining the Schuman Plan.
Why was the British Left suspicious of the Schuman Plan?
They were wary of its free-market principles.
Why did the British Right oppose joining?
They favored developing trade links with the Commonwealth (Australia, New Zealand, Canada).
How did Britain view the Schuman Plan in relation to Europe?
It was seen as an issue for ‘the Continent,’ and Britain did not want to associate itself with Europe.
How did WWII influence Britain’s decision?
Britain had ‘won the war’, while Germany had been its enemy, and France was devastated—so Britain didn’t see itself as needing the plan.
What assumption about Britain’s global status influenced its decision?
Britain still saw itself as a world power that didn’t need the Schuman Plan.
