Dan Snow's History Hit
How did Brexit Happen? A History
Jul 1, 2024
Professor Tim Bale discusses the historical journey of Brexit from Britain's initial integration with the EU to the divisive referendum. Topics include Labour's stance on European integration, Theresa May's struggles with Brexit execution, potential post-Brexit scenarios, and the effects of Brexit on the UK economy and society.
44:37
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Quick takeaways
- Britain's initial hesitation to join the EEC stemmed from socialist and nationalistic concerns in the 1950s.
- Margaret Thatcher's shift from pro-Europe to Eurosceptic reflected wider divides within the Conservative Party in the 70s and 80s.
Deep dives
Britain's Entry into the European Economic Community
In the 1950s, the European Economic Community (EEC) was established with the aim of integrating economies and politics. Britain, initially hesitant due to socialist and nationalistic concerns, later sought to join the EEC as its economy lagged behind. Despite resistance, Britain finally joined in 1973, following a referendum in 1975 that displayed public support for EEC membership.
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