An Analysis On The Reasons Why The UK Previously Refused To Join The European Communities, And Then Applies To Enter European Communities

The goal of this essay is to analyze why the United Kingdom refused to be a member of the European Communities after World War II. The main focus is the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Communities, by comparing it to other countries, it is rather complicated. After the first proposal in the federation of Europe, the United Kingdom refused to join the European Coal and Steel Community, and lost her first chance of being merged with the rest of Europe. Later, the United Kingdom refused to sign the Rome Treaty and she has distanced herself from the European Communities even further. The turning point occurred at the end of 1960, where the United Kingdom first proposed her intention of being a part of the European Communities. What has caused this sudden change in the United Kingdom's behaviour? The United Kingdom has a very long history, thus, to investigate the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Communities, we cannot simply start from the United Kingdom's history after World War II. We must combine the United Kingdom's history with the actual reality tightly, and at the same time, we have to take into consideration the effect of human behaviour.The author constructed this essay based on the following points: 1. World War II is the turning point in the history of Europe, after the war, unavoidably Western Europe went downhill. How to invigorate Europe, how to survive in-between the two biggest countries: the United State and the Soviet Union are problems faced by the Western European. Therefore, the theory of Western European unity has become reality. Even though after World War II, the prime minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill suggested the idea of uniting Europe, but in reality, the United Kingdom does not intent to join the European Communities at all. 2. The United Kingdom's refusal of being a part of the European Communities is not only because of her position at that time, but also because of her history. In general, the United Kingdom's diplomatic policy is very successful, which it contributed to the fact that the United Kingdom is one of the most powerful countries before the war. Therefore, after World War II, if the United Kingdom gets involved with the European Communities, it means an abandonment of her status, so the United Kingdom resisted joining the European Communities after its first establishment. 3. Because of the United Kingdom's geographic location and her civilization development, English people have slowly adapted their own unique culture. That resulted in the British people having no interest in joining the European Communities. 4. Although the United Kingdom became a member of the European Communities later, but to her, the loss is much greater than the gain. If the United Kingdom joined the European Communities right after its first establishment, she will act an important role in decision making of Europe. A long wait has caused her to lose her opportunity, right now the United Kingdom can only be dominated by the rest of the European Communities. 5. No matter how the United Kingdom changes her diplomatic policy, it is always to benefit the country herself. All changes are made regarding to the profit of the United Kingdom.This essay is solely consisted of 5 parts: First, simply look back and analyze the United Kingdom's unique culture for generations. Thus, to explain how culture and diplomatic policy has played a major role in the United Kingdom's refusal in committing to the European Communities. Second, describes the actions the United Kingdom took with regard to not joining the European Communities, such as not participation in the European Coal and Steel Community, and refusal in signing the Rome Treaty. Third, focuses on the reason why the United Kingdom agreed not to join the European Communities. The third part is interconnected with the first part, in which this part combines the United Kingdom's culture, her diplomatic policy with her condition after World War II, and does an overall analysis. The third part is also this essay's foremost important section. Fourth, studies why the United Kingdom has changed her diplomatic policy at the beginning of 1960's. During that period, big changes occurred both inside of the country and outside, the United Kingdom slowed down with almost no growth at all after the war, and because of that the United Kingdom has lost her place in the most powerful countries in the world. Thus changes in the diplomatic policies are needed because of its flexibility at that time frame. Fifth, focuses on how the United Kingdom has changed her diplomatic policy to accommodate the European Communities and signed an agreement to join, but because she has missed her opportunity, a long wait of 10 years is unavoidably needed for the United Kingdom.The author hopes to explain the overall reason why the United Kingdom refused to join the European Communities through this essay. Also wishes for readers to express different opinions and suggestions from reading. Most concepts of this essay come from foreign scholar Auton, G.P, Chinese scholar Yo Sheng, Hong about the connection and relation between the United Kingdom and the European Communities. Some concepts to be cautious about: this essay usually refers to or discusses history events during certain time frame, particular discussions are needed for other essay concerning the same topic. Also that this essay concerns some huge historic events in which the author is not completely familiar with.