Why, How and When did Britain Join the EU? Documentary
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Date: 2022-07-19
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Comments and reviews: 20
Connor
The real reason why from Yes Minister.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: The Foreign Office is pro-Europe because its really anti-Europe. The civil service was united in its desire to make sure that the Common Market didnt work. Thats why we went into it. Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least 500 years: to create a disunited Europe. In that cause we have fought with the Dutch against the Spanish, with the Germans against the French, French and Italians against the Germans, and the French against the Germans and Italians. Divide and rule, you see. Why should we change now, when its worked so well?
Jim Hacker: Its all ancient history, surely.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes, and current policy. We had to break the whole thing up, so we had to get inside. We tried to break it up from the outside, but that wouldnt work. Now that we are inside, we can make a big pigs breakfast of the whole thing! Set the Germans against the French, French against Italians, Italians against Dutch The Foreign Office is terribly pleased! Its just like old times!
Jim Hacker: Surely we are committed to the European ideal!
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Really, Minister!
Jim Hacker: If not, why are we pressing for an increase in membership?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: For the same reason. It's just like the United Nations, in fact. The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up, the more futile and impotent it becomes.
Jim Hacker: What appalling cynicism!
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes. We call it diplomacy, Minister.
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The real reason why from Yes Minister.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: The Foreign Office is pro-Europe because its really anti-Europe. The civil service was united in its desire to make sure that the Common Market didnt work. Thats why we went into it. Britain has had the same foreign policy objective for at least 500 years: to create a disunited Europe. In that cause we have fought with the Dutch against the Spanish, with the Germans against the French, French and Italians against the Germans, and the French against the Germans and Italians. Divide and rule, you see. Why should we change now, when its worked so well?
Jim Hacker: Its all ancient history, surely.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes, and current policy. We had to break the whole thing up, so we had to get inside. We tried to break it up from the outside, but that wouldnt work. Now that we are inside, we can make a big pigs breakfast of the whole thing! Set the Germans against the French, French against Italians, Italians against Dutch The Foreign Office is terribly pleased! Its just like old times!
Jim Hacker: Surely we are committed to the European ideal!
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Really, Minister!
Jim Hacker: If not, why are we pressing for an increase in membership?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: For the same reason. It's just like the United Nations, in fact. The more members it has, the more arguments it can stir up, the more futile and impotent it becomes.
Jim Hacker: What appalling cynicism!
Sir Humphrey Appleby: Yes. We call it diplomacy, Minister.
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Angel
Charles de Gaulle is probably an example of what a sophisticated character or antagonist could be in a fictional series.
He would try to convince the protagonists (countries of the EU) that one person or group (Britain in this case) is not worthy of trust and would probably discard them when he got the chance, but the protagonists would dismiss his warnings, either due to the power of friendship trope (e. g. cooperation with the EU, or due to the fact that they wouldn't take the issue seriously (at least compared to other geopolitical issues. Still, he would convinced the others not to trust the person or group, at least based on his own experience, relationship, and information from his resources.
Later on, the protagonists would follow the series of events that would led to the specific event the sophisticated character warned against the protagonists but were too late to prevent (Brexit.
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Charles de Gaulle is probably an example of what a sophisticated character or antagonist could be in a fictional series.
He would try to convince the protagonists (countries of the EU) that one person or group (Britain in this case) is not worthy of trust and would probably discard them when he got the chance, but the protagonists would dismiss his warnings, either due to the power of friendship trope (e. g. cooperation with the EU, or due to the fact that they wouldn't take the issue seriously (at least compared to other geopolitical issues. Still, he would convinced the others not to trust the person or group, at least based on his own experience, relationship, and information from his resources.
Later on, the protagonists would follow the series of events that would led to the specific event the sophisticated character warned against the protagonists but were too late to prevent (Brexit.
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Jason
God I despise De Gaulle. He spent most of his time as the leader of Free France whining to the allies for legitimacy, and then once they actually did assist him in liberating France, he instantly turned on them and tried acting like France was a super power. It's like dude. Your country is in ruins, your people are exhausted, and you have a rather rich nation very keen on a strong France to help contain Communism. Suck up your misplaced pride and stop being acting like a child. Yeah, America and the U. K hate you. Mostly because you hate them and forgot about the sacrifices they made for France the second you sat in Paris.
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God I despise De Gaulle. He spent most of his time as the leader of Free France whining to the allies for legitimacy, and then once they actually did assist him in liberating France, he instantly turned on them and tried acting like France was a super power. It's like dude. Your country is in ruins, your people are exhausted, and you have a rather rich nation very keen on a strong France to help contain Communism. Suck up your misplaced pride and stop being acting like a child. Yeah, America and the U. K hate you. Mostly because you hate them and forgot about the sacrifices they made for France the second you sat in Paris.
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Sean
Part of Britains motivation was the f course to enhance trade which they desperately needed because the Europeans wouldnt honour their war debts whereas Britain was burdened with obligation and honesty to repay its war debts.
Fun fact: France asked the British parliament in 1931 to suspend its WWI repayments as its economy was struggling. France has yet to recommence those payments that now with interest are over a trillion euros.
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Part of Britains motivation was the f course to enhance trade which they desperately needed because the Europeans wouldnt honour their war debts whereas Britain was burdened with obligation and honesty to repay its war debts.
Fun fact: France asked the British parliament in 1931 to suspend its WWI repayments as its economy was struggling. France has yet to recommence those payments that now with interest are over a trillion euros.
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Dagmar
Britain is an island. I always felt they are not Europa. And as, always play both sides. and since USA speaks English. It is their playground. And Americans think the queen is theirs. when ever Germany gets success. engkand cannot stand THAT. they. see red. Fighting envious cousins. and they start the anti german propaganda maschine. with big brother. they attack our language. What ever it takes. I saw a lot of that. very sad
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Britain is an island. I always felt they are not Europa. And as, always play both sides. and since USA speaks English. It is their playground. And Americans think the queen is theirs. when ever Germany gets success. engkand cannot stand THAT. they. see red. Fighting envious cousins. and they start the anti german propaganda maschine. with big brother. they attack our language. What ever it takes. I saw a lot of that. very sad
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Bulqiza
Everybody who voted for brexit they were racist they thought all the foreigners or go back a shame in all of them we struggle I believe anybody what the for leaving European Union they were racist because they will lying to public will give you 160 million a week do European Union that was rubbish we couldn't see in the receipt how many millions pounds gone 2 European Union
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Everybody who voted for brexit they were racist they thought all the foreigners or go back a shame in all of them we struggle I believe anybody what the for leaving European Union they were racist because they will lying to public will give you 160 million a week do European Union that was rubbish we couldn't see in the receipt how many millions pounds gone 2 European Union
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Anthony
And yet the UK did not give up the Pound for the Euro and opted not to join Schengen. The view was the UK had its cake and was eating it to satisfaction. And then the whole sovereignty and migration issues took center stage. And interestingly, it was England (and Wales to some small extent) which dragged unwilling Scotland and Northern Ireland out of the EU.
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And yet the UK did not give up the Pound for the Euro and opted not to join Schengen. The view was the UK had its cake and was eating it to satisfaction. And then the whole sovereignty and migration issues took center stage. And interestingly, it was England (and Wales to some small extent) which dragged unwilling Scotland and Northern Ireland out of the EU.
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NelsonDiscovery
Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: No. You only want in so you can say it's a shitty club.
Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: No. You only want in so you can say it's a shitty club.
Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: Oh Alright!
Britain: What a shitty club.
France: .
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Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: No. You only want in so you can say it's a shitty club.
Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: No. You only want in so you can say it's a shitty club.
Britain: Come on! Let me into your club!
France: Oh Alright!
Britain: What a shitty club.
France: .
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Suksas
British are weird. Kept trying to join EEC for years. Then they attempted to convince themselves to leave since they joined EEC.
Has nothing to do with EU, Eurosceptics pushed to leave ever since they joined. And kept blaming domestic problems on EEC and later EU and part of British public kept buying it, as they still do now.
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British are weird. Kept trying to join EEC for years. Then they attempted to convince themselves to leave since they joined EEC.
Has nothing to do with EU, Eurosceptics pushed to leave ever since they joined. And kept blaming domestic problems on EEC and later EU and part of British public kept buying it, as they still do now.
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nessunday
Technically we didn't we joined the euro zone, which later became the EU (without the British peoples consent) and after decades of abuse, systematic crippling of our economy, unreasonable demands and treating us like second class citizens within our own homeland we had enough and voted to leave
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Technically we didn't we joined the euro zone, which later became the EU (without the British peoples consent) and after decades of abuse, systematic crippling of our economy, unreasonable demands and treating us like second class citizens within our own homeland we had enough and voted to leave
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Tobias
De Gaulle was right that Britain would never commit to the EU like France or Britain.
It was an act much more controversial in Europe to let Britain join because it was almost bankrupt. And they will probably join again when things go south which they certainly will.
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De Gaulle was right that Britain would never commit to the EU like France or Britain.
It was an act much more controversial in Europe to let Britain join because it was almost bankrupt. And they will probably join again when things go south which they certainly will.
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Divedown25
Well, Brexit is what it is and all are more happy with that, EU is not crying as most Brexiteers want to believe. sad for the remainders in UK but time for them to bite the bullet and deal with what you have in UK.
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Well, Brexit is what it is and all are more happy with that, EU is not crying as most Brexiteers want to believe. sad for the remainders in UK but time for them to bite the bullet and deal with what you have in UK.
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Simon
We joined because the Government decided & we had no say on it. Yes, we had a vote after wed joined & while it was the EEC it seemed like a good idea. It turned into a monster & thank God we got the hell out of there!
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We joined because the Government decided & we had no say on it. Yes, we had a vote after wed joined & while it was the EEC it seemed like a good idea. It turned into a monster & thank God we got the hell out of there!
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Ethribin
A major reason for Britains desire to integrate into the EU was that it was financially to reliant on the usa.
And where did leaving the EU bring it?
Right back into usa dependancy.
Good job UK
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A major reason for Britains desire to integrate into the EU was that it was financially to reliant on the usa.
And where did leaving the EU bring it?
Right back into usa dependancy.
Good job UK
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Lord
God damn, De Gaulle was a prick. Seriously, every time I learn more about him his one or two positive accomplishments get smaller in my mind as they're piled over with more and more petty dick moves.
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God damn, De Gaulle was a prick. Seriously, every time I learn more about him his one or two positive accomplishments get smaller in my mind as they're piled over with more and more petty dick moves.
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John
Wait. De Gaulle was worried about American influence in Europe via Britain?
_W. Germany sweats profusely_
_every other non-communist European nation sweats a little less but still sweats_
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Wait. De Gaulle was worried about American influence in Europe via Britain?
_W. Germany sweats profusely_
_every other non-communist European nation sweats a little less but still sweats_
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Guy
I'm actually curious about how Britain felt about the EEC becoming the EU. Was it worried from the start about the economic union becoming political? Or did that happen over many years slowly?
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I'm actually curious about how Britain felt about the EEC becoming the EU. Was it worried from the start about the economic union becoming political? Or did that happen over many years slowly?
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Guy
The memes comparing Britain to a cat that only wants to sit in the doorway and never actually enter or leave, but just hates being told no, were already funny. I had no idea how deep it went.
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The memes comparing Britain to a cat that only wants to sit in the doorway and never actually enter or leave, but just hates being told no, were already funny. I had no idea how deep it went.
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Carottebio
Well in the end de Gaulle was right that UK wouldn't fit the EU as other countries do. Also having a grudge is legitimate to the English, ah french it is almost a moral obligation
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Well in the end de Gaulle was right that UK wouldn't fit the EU as other countries do. Also having a grudge is legitimate to the English, ah french it is almost a moral obligation
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education
De Gaulle was a back stabber. The UK literally bankrupted itself and lost its Empire fighting to free France and De Gaulle votes No. We should have let the Germans keep the place!
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De Gaulle was a back stabber. The UK literally bankrupted itself and lost its Empire fighting to free France and De Gaulle votes No. We should have let the Germans keep the place!
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