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Summary 1951-64 Foreign Relations: The EEC
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This document covers the formation of the EEC and Britain's attitude. It contextualises in relation to other foreign affairs between 1951-64.
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1951- 64 Foreign Relations- the EEC Dean Acheson US Secretary of State 1949- 53- ‘Britain has lost an Empire and no yet found a role’.
1947- India and Pakistan granted independence which marked Britain’s ‘retreat from Empire’ and transition to the
Commonwealth.
Labour opposed joining the EEC as they saw it as a club for capitalists.
In 1962 Hugh Gaitskell said joining the EEC would be ‘the end of a thousand years of history.’
At first both Labour and the Conservative’s shared common ideas against joining the EEC. However, the
Conservatives, especially under Macmillan, increasingly saw the economic benefits of Britain joining. The Labour
party were against it (especially under Gaitskell). Does this show a difference in policy between the Labour party and
the Conservative’s demonstrating a transition from the consensus in policies in Britain?
-Macmillan-
1960 presented Britain’s Foreign Policy to cabinet. Stated that Britain’s main policy was the Atlantic Alliance (NATO),
maintaining the ‘special relationship’ as well as strengthening relations with Europe. Stated he wanted there to be
an economic and political community that would include Europe and America.
NATO- formed in 1949 to protect the Western powers in the Cold War. It was made up of 12 countries including
Britain and was an alliance that meant that if any of them were attacked all 12 of the countries defend them.
EEC:
Schuman Plan, 1950
Named after the French foreign minister Robert Schuman. The Schuman Plan established a European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC) that integrated French and German industry after the war and their history of being enemies. This
would eliminate future wars between France and Germany.
Britain was not involved in the Schuman Plan as they now saw themselves as a nuclear power with an Empire (to an
extent).
Treaty of Paris, 1951
Formally set up the ECSC signed by the Six (France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium). Britain did
not attend the preliminary talks of signing the ECSC and therefore did not sign the Treaty of Paris in 1951.
The reasons for not joining the Schuman Plan/ ECSC was shared by both the Labour Party and the Conservatives
who saw the ECSC as a supranational authority that would undermine Britain’s sovereignty.
Messina Conference, 1955
The EEC took shape in Messina, Sicily in 1955.
A British delegate was present in Messina to observe and encourage developments but not to join.
After the conference the details were established in the Treaty of Rom signed by ‘the Six’ in 1957.
Treaty of Rome, 1957
Signed by ‘the Six’ which established a European Economic Community. Established a common market (trading
system between its members), adoption of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and members adopted a
protectionist policy against all non- member nations which meant that members who impose high tariffs or deny
selling goods to non members.
Britain formed EFTA, 1959
European Free Trade Association was set up by Britain in 1959 to act as a free- trade association against the
protectionist policy of the EEC. However, EFTA was not able to match the power of the EEC and failed. By 1972 most
of EFTA’s members were in the EEC.
Britain submits an application to the EEC, 1961
As the EEC adopted a protectionist policy in trade with non- members Britain was suffering greatly. British exports
to the Common Market (EEC) rose by 29% whilst exports to the Sterling Area (Britain) rose by 1%.
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