The Three Bids to join the EEC and Accession

Question 1

What is the ‘Three Bids and Accession’?

Answer 1

The Three Bids and Accession refer to the UK’s three attempts to join the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union (EU), before finally being accepted.

Question 2

When and what was the first bid?

Answer 2

First Attempt (1963) – The UK applied to join the EEC, but France’s President Charles de Gaulle vetoed it, saying the UK was too close to the US after the Suez Canal Crisis and not committed to European integration.

Question 3

When and what was the second bid?

Answer 3

Second Attempt (1967) – The UK tried again, but de Gaulle blocked it again, still believing Britain didn’t fit in.

Question 4

When and what was the third bid?

Answer 4

Third Attempt (1972) – After de Gaulle left power, the UK’s application was finally approved. The UK officially joined the EEC in 1973.

Question 5

Why is this important for Brexit?

Answer 5

It shows that Britain was never fully committed to European integration, which later contributed to the decision to leave the EU in 2016.