History of the European Communities (1958–1972) facts for kids

The history of the European Communities from 1958 to 1972 shows how these important groups started and grew. At this time, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was joined by two new groups: the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC quickly became the most important one. By 1967, the EEC's main bodies took over the work of the other two. The EEC's first leaders were from the Hallstein and Rey teams.

In 1958, a group called the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) was created. This group helped prepare meetings for the main leaders. On March 19, the Parliamentary Assembly met for the first time. This assembly represented all three communities. They chose Robert Schuman as their first President. On May 13, something new happened: members started sitting together based on their political ideas, not just their home country. This was a big step towards working as one Europe.

Europe's Early Economic Groups

In 1960, seven countries that were not part of the EEC formed their own group. These were Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. They created the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Stockholm. This group started on May 3, 1960.

In the next two years, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and Norway asked to join the European Communities. Other neutral countries like Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland wanted to make special trade deals. However, the French President at the time, Charles de Gaulle, did not want the United Kingdom to join. He worried that Britain would bring too much American influence into Europe. He called it a "Trojan horse" for the US. Because of his strong opposition, Britain's request to join was put on hold.

The "Empty Chair" Problem

Another big problem happened because of new plans for how to pay for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This policy, which helps farmers, started in 1962. Before this, all decisions in the Council had to be agreed upon by everyone (unanimity). But now, decisions could be made by a majority vote.

President de Gaulle did not like the idea of countries losing some of their power to a bigger European group. He was also worried that other members might challenge the CAP. So, France started an "empty chair policy." French representatives left the European meetings. They did not return until France was allowed to use its veto power again. A veto means saying "no" to stop a decision.

Finally, they reached a deal called the Luxembourg compromise on January 29, 1966. This was a gentlemen's agreement. It meant that if a country felt a decision was very important for its national interests, it could use a veto. This helped solve the crisis and brought France back to the table.

Merging Europe's Leaders

On September 24, 1963, the member countries agreed to combine the main leadership bodies of the three Communities (ECSC, Euratom, and EEC). A year later, they decided that the new single "Commission" would have nine members. France, Germany, and Italy, the larger states, would each have two members. The smaller Benelux states (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) would each have one member.

The Merger Treaty was signed on April 8, 1965. It officially started on July 1, 1967. This treaty brought all three Communities together under common leaders. The first head of this new, combined Commission was Jean Rey. He was chosen on July 6, 1967, leading the Rey Commission.

New Countries Join Europe

In the mid-1960s, there were some concerns about countries like Spain and Greece joining. Spain had a question about its membership in 1964, and Greece had a military government from April 1967. These events made the Community members think carefully about who could join.

The United Kingdom asked to join again on May 11, 1967. In 1969, a new French President, Georges Pompidou, took office. He was more open to Britain joining. Talks began on June 30, 1970. In Britain, the Conservative government led by Edward Heath was in power. His government wanted Britain to be part of Europe. They had to work through issues about the Common Agricultural Policy and Britain's ties with the Commonwealth of Nations. Britain also had to agree to all decisions made since the Merger Treaty.

The talks took two years. The treaties for new countries to join were signed on January 22, 1972. Britain did not hold a public vote (referendum) before joining. The results of the votes in the other three countries were:

• Ireland: 83.1% voted yes (on May 10).
• Norway: 46.5% voted yes (on September 25).
• Denmark: 63.3% voted yes (on October 2).

Norway did not join because 53.5% of its people voted no. They would try to join again later, but it did not happen. So, on January 1, 1973, only Ireland, Denmark, and the United Kingdom officially joined the European Communities.

See also

• Malfatti Commission
• Mansholt Commission
• Bretton Woods system
• Munich massacre
• Fouchet Plan