‘The efforts of the British government to join the EEC in the years 1961 to 1973 were mainly a
result of Britain’s decline as a world power.’ Assess the validity of this view (25 marks).
Paragraph 1
Point Analysis Counter-Point Link Back to Q
The reason for joining -Britain failing. Arguably this links back to Britain had ‘missed the bus’,
fundamentally was for economic Beeching Report 63’ 30% Britain’s status as a declining thus the prosperity
reasons. railway. world power. evidenced in the EEC was
Devaluation crisis 67’ – 70’ Also, in 1973 Britain’s growth highly desirable and all
inflation 12%. was 7.3% compared to the attempts to join within this
Wilson’s reason for 1967 EEC’s 6% (commonly used to period were due to the
application was for economic denounce economic economy.
reasons, he himself was argument.
ambivalent but recognized Actually, what EEC offered was
the benefits. more than quantitative
Perpetual cycle of stagflation But actually, the fact was that
from stop-go. Britain was still growing, thus
remained as a superpower.
-EEC prospering. Yet, it desired the economic
Success of Rueff Plan freed growth experienced by EEC
90% of EEC trade. countries.
Rejuvenation by defeat
contrast to British malaise;
government intervention
aided EEC countries.
Paragraph 2
Point Analysis Counter-Point Link Back to Q
Secondary role with USA -Relationship strained. Can be said the relationship Therefore, the special
evidences the decline as a world Vietnam War. was very good, and to an relationship while being a
power questions independence. Suez Crisis – Domino extent equal; 1963 Test Ban priority in foreign policy was
Theory (don’t mention how
result of Britain’s decline as a world power.’ Assess the validity of this view (25 marks).
Paragraph 1
Point Analysis Counter-Point Link Back to Q
The reason for joining -Britain failing. Arguably this links back to Britain had ‘missed the bus’,
fundamentally was for economic Beeching Report 63’ 30% Britain’s status as a declining thus the prosperity
reasons. railway. world power. evidenced in the EEC was
Devaluation crisis 67’ – 70’ Also, in 1973 Britain’s growth highly desirable and all
inflation 12%. was 7.3% compared to the attempts to join within this
Wilson’s reason for 1967 EEC’s 6% (commonly used to period were due to the
application was for economic denounce economic economy.
reasons, he himself was argument.
ambivalent but recognized Actually, what EEC offered was
the benefits. more than quantitative
Perpetual cycle of stagflation But actually, the fact was that
from stop-go. Britain was still growing, thus
remained as a superpower.
-EEC prospering. Yet, it desired the economic
Success of Rueff Plan freed growth experienced by EEC
90% of EEC trade. countries.
Rejuvenation by defeat
contrast to British malaise;
government intervention
aided EEC countries.
Paragraph 2
Point Analysis Counter-Point Link Back to Q
Secondary role with USA -Relationship strained. Can be said the relationship Therefore, the special
evidences the decline as a world Vietnam War. was very good, and to an relationship while being a
power questions independence. Suez Crisis – Domino extent equal; 1963 Test Ban priority in foreign policy was
Theory (don’t mention how
