Britain's Stance on the Formation of the European Economic Community (1958–1961)

Abstract

This study addresses an important dimension of British foreign policy, namely the position of the British government toward the establishment of the European Economic Community between 1958 and 1961. It focuses on analyzing the challenges faced by British decision-makers in the context of post-World War II political and economic transformations. Britain sought to strike a delicate balance between its historical commitments within the Commonwealth and its strategic alliance with the United States, on one hand, and the growing economic imperatives of integration with Western Europe, on the other.

Official documents and governmental correspondence indicate that Britain was not entirely opposed to the concept of the EEC but was primarily concerned with safeguarding its commercial interests and global role. The study highlights Britain’s initiatives to establish alternatives such as the European Free Trade Association, as well as its attempts to shape the course of European integration while preserving its political independence.

It also explores the roles of key European figures—such as French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer—in shaping the regional environment that eventually compelled Britain to reassess its foreign policy. The study concludes that Britain’s hesitation stemmed not from ideological opposition, but from the tension between its global aspirations and practical constraints—setting the stage for its first attempt to join the EEC in 1961.