EEC Entry + Cold War Attitudes

• Britain became heavily involved with Europe in the 1970s.
• Britain joined the EEC in January 1973. They joined with Ireland and Denmark.
• French President Pompidou was more supportive of Britain's entry into the EEC. He saw Britain as a bulwark against the FRG.
• Heath as PM was pro-Europe. The EEC entry seemed to be a reward for Heath after his failed efforts in the 1960s.
• The issue of sovereignty split Britain among EEC membership.
• Many Britons feared that EEC law would supersede national law. Labour feared about the rights and conditions of the trade unions.
• Tony Benn called for an EEC referendum in 1975 because he believed most of Britain opposed membership.
• An EEC referendum took place in 1975 which was overseen by Labour.
• Most politicians and groups supported staying as a member of the EEC.
• 67% of people supported EEC membership in 1975.
• 1/3 of the electorate did not vote on the EEC referendum. This was seen as an issue because the majority didn't seem convincing.
• Politicians complained about Britain's EEC contribution because the budget was seen as too high. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was seen as a particular contention.
• Farmers were guaranteed prices for surplus production under the CAP. This policy benefitted inefficient farmers.
• British fishermen complained that European fishermen were depleting stock through extensive techniques.
• Heath was more interested in Europe over the USA. Britain did maintain its relationship with the US however.
• Relations with China were particularly fraught in the 1960s. The Cultural Revolution was in full swing.
• Chairman Mao saw the Cultural Revolution as an opportunity to win back Hong Kong from the British Empire.
• Chinese agents committed terrorism in Hong Kong to scare Britain. 5 policemen died as a result of this.
• Anglo-Chinese relations improved in the 1970s. The improved relations between the US and China partly caused this.
• President Nixon wanted to build up a USA-Chinese alliance. He wanted to worry the Soviet Union.
• Heath visited China in 1974. He received a gift of 2 giant pandas to bring to a British zoo.
• Mao died in 1976. This developed trade links between China and Britain.
• Relations remained frosty with the Soviet Union in the 1970s.
• The Soviet Union was concerned about Britain's closer relations with China. Britain was concerned about KGB activity in London.
• A Bulgarian that was poisoned and murdered by the tip of a soaked umbrella was an example of KGB activity in London.
• Rumours that Labour and trade unions were KGB agents circulated quickly. Harold Wilson was rumoured to be one.