UK and EU Relations: A Historical Overview

📋 Course Outline

1. Early UK opposition and applications to the EEC with French vetoes
2. UK membership in the EEC starting 1973 and initial public opinion
3. UK-EEC tensions in the 1970s-1980s including Thatcher’s policies and budget rebate
4. Transition from EEC to EU: Maastricht Treaty, opt-outs, and political challenges
5. Rise of Euroscepticism and UK political parties advocating withdrawal
6. David Cameron’s premiership and the decision to hold the 2016 Brexit referendum
7. 2016 Brexit referendum results and demographic voting patterns
8. Post-referendum UK leadership and Brexit negotiation timeline (2016-2024)
9. Main advantages and disadvantages of Brexit across economic, political, and social fields

📖 1. Early UK opposition and applications to the EEC with French vetoes

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• EFTA : A regional trade organization established in 1959 by countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and Portugal, focusing on abolishing tariffs among member states without political integration.
• 1963 and 1967 : The years when the UK applied to join the European Economic Community (EEC) but was vetoed twice by France, citing economic concerns and fears of US influence through the UK.
• Special relationship with the USA : Been impacted by the Suez crisis (1956).

📝 Essential Points