Bilateral Diplomacy, Anglo-German Relations, and the British Applications to the EC

• Department of History

PhD thesis defence by Thomas Carlos Soden

This thesis examines the bilateral diplomatic relationship between Britain and the Federal Republic of Germany and its influence on the development of the British applications to enter the European Community (EC) as a member state between 1960 and 1972. It investigates how diplomatic personnel in both countries worked towards British EC membership, and why differing political and economic visions for this project consistently complicated bilateral relations throughout the 12 years during which the applications were made. British governments primarily sought German aid to combat the persistent opposition of France and French President Charles De Gaulle regarding British EC entry. While Bonn was never seriously willing to challenge the French government on EC policy, German support nevertheless emerged as a key element in British strategy for pursuing the applications; in 1961-1963, 1967, and 1970-72. This analysis is placed in the wider context of Anglo-German relations in the developing Cold War and the evolution of diplomacy in both countries. It draws on government archives, private and political document collections in Britain and Germany, and the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence to present a comprehensive exploration of the long-running bilateral dialogue concerning British EC membership and its influence on governmental policy.

The thesis concludes that Anglo-German diplomatic relations played a longer and more central role in the achievement of British EC membership than existing historiography has depicted. Although never offering the robust political support which the British desired, German officials provided a stream of vital information to their British counterparts on EC affairs. Moreover, the experience of the British applications led to closer and better general bilateral relations. In the successful 1970-72 enlargement negotiations, Anglo-German dialogue steered the British government towards meaningful compromise on its vision for membership. With Anglo-French differences also reconciled, Britain entered the European Community in 1973.