Great Britain and the European Communities 1957-1975

On the occasion of Sir Stephen Wall visiting the Historical Archives of the European Union on 9 June 2016, the Archives prepared an exhibition referring to the Stephen Wall’s keynote speech “Britain and the European Union: Lessons from a Small Island” organised by the Max Weber Programme at the EUI on the same date. The exhibition presents some key documents relating to Britain’s position towards the establishment of the Common Market in 1957, through its accession to the EEC in 1972, and until the referendum of 1975.

Telegrams between the permanent UK Delegation in Paris and the Foreign Office in London to Paris about Six Messina Powers and Common Market in 1955 (HAEU, JMDS/98)
Western European Union – Assembly 4th December 1962 ‘’Progress of Negotiations for the accession of the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community” [WEU-12 (Vol 1)]. Conference by De Gaulle, President of the French Republic, with questions about his position of Britain entering the Common Market (HAEU, UWK-NS/5 (1)
British application for membership of the European Communities 1963-1968 [UWK-NS/5 (1)]. Reunion Counseil Communautés Européennes considering ‘’Demandes des Gouvernments du Royaume-Uni, Ireland and Denmark” (HAEU, EN-1863)
Speech by James Callahan to the Council of Ministers (4 June 1974) and a note from the Council considering his requests (6 June 1974) (HAEU, EN-1999)
Campaign material against the Common Market (HAEU, UWK/NS-381)
Campaign material in favor of joining the Common Market (HAEU, UWK/NS-21(2)
Campaign material against the Common Market (HAEU, UWK/NS-381)
Campaign material in favor of joining the Common Market (HAEU, UWK/NS-21(2)