Assess The Reasons Why British Attitudes To Europe Changed From 1945
Assess the reasons why British attitudes to Europe changed from 1945-1973. [50]
After the war, Britain retained a great sense of national pride as they had not been defeated by the war in the way other European countries had such as France, Germany and the Benelux countries. They had their economic and political regimes upheaved and needed co-operation to ensure they could rebuild. Britain was keen for peace throughout Europe, especially with the Soviet’s influence spreading; however they were not keen to sacrifice their power to a supranational institution. Despite this, Britain had to commit later due to their dwindling relationship with the commonwealth, their growing independence on the US and the huge success of the EEC in comparison to EFTA.
The USA had forged a special relationship with Britain post-war as they needed them to remain a strong force in light of the USSRs attempt to dominate Europe. Despite this, it became progressively difficult for Britain to be part of Europe and commit to the USA, and so they prioritised their relationship with America and refused to join the EEC in 1957. Britain had just humiliated themselves in the Suez Crisis of 1956 and its failure was not only a turning point in British decolonisation, but proved that the USA was the ascendant superpower and Britain depended upon their support for all of their actions. Surprisingly, the US were keen for Britain to strengthen their ties to Europe as Eisenhower showed support for the EEC, and subsequently Kennedy wanted Britain to join as a counterweight to the success of Germany and France and so could suggest why the attitudes towards Europe changed for the people saw Europe as stable and capable of success.
Furthermore, Britain had lost their “Great” superpower status after 1945 and did not yet want to sacrifice the power they still held to a supranational institution as the EEC was suggesting. There was initial support from Britain towards Europe as they focussed on defence and
After the war, Britain retained a great sense of national pride as they had not been defeated by the war in the way other European countries had such as France, Germany and the Benelux countries. They had their economic and political regimes upheaved and needed co-operation to ensure they could rebuild. Britain was keen for peace throughout Europe, especially with the Soviet’s influence spreading; however they were not keen to sacrifice their power to a supranational institution. Despite this, Britain had to commit later due to their dwindling relationship with the commonwealth, their growing independence on the US and the huge success of the EEC in comparison to EFTA.
The USA had forged a special relationship with Britain post-war as they needed them to remain a strong force in light of the USSRs attempt to dominate Europe. Despite this, it became progressively difficult for Britain to be part of Europe and commit to the USA, and so they prioritised their relationship with America and refused to join the EEC in 1957. Britain had just humiliated themselves in the Suez Crisis of 1956 and its failure was not only a turning point in British decolonisation, but proved that the USA was the ascendant superpower and Britain depended upon their support for all of their actions. Surprisingly, the US were keen for Britain to strengthen their ties to Europe as Eisenhower showed support for the EEC, and subsequently Kennedy wanted Britain to join as a counterweight to the success of Germany and France and so could suggest why the attitudes towards Europe changed for the people saw Europe as stable and capable of success.
Furthermore, Britain had lost their “Great” superpower status after 1945 and did not yet want to sacrifice the power they still held to a supranational institution as the EEC was suggesting. There was initial support from Britain towards Europe as they focussed on defence and