A new and detailed study of the European Community's development between 1963 and 1969, with a special focus on the struggle between France and its EC partners over the purpose, structure and membership of the emerging European Community.

On all three, French President Charles de Gaulle held divergent views from those of his fellow leaders. The six years in question were hence marked by a succession of confrontations over what the Community did, the way in which it functioned, and the question of whether new members (notably Britain) should be allowed to enter. Despite these multiple crises, however, the six founding members continued to press on with their joint experiment, demonstrating a surprisingly firm commitment to cooperation with each other. The period thus highlights both the strengths and the weaknesses of the early Community and highlights the origins of many of the structures and procedures that have survived until the current day.

Reviews

'Thanks to the use of a wide variety of primary sources and to his sound expertise on the history of the integration process, Ludlow offers an objective and innovative assessment of de Gaulle's European policy and its actual impact on the history of the European Community.' - Journal of Common Market Studies

'This study on the development of the European Economic Community from Charles de Gaulle's brusque veto of Great Britain's first application for admission in January 1963 to the Hague Summit in December 1969, which opened the way for the entry of Britain, Ireland, and Denmark, is excellently documented, closely written, and gripping in its analysis.' - The American Historical Review

'This study on the development of the European Economic Community from Charles de Gaulle's brusque veto of Great Britain's first application for admission in January 1963 to the Hague Summit in December 1969, which opened the way for the entry of Britain, Ireland, and Denmark, is excellently documented, closely written, and gripping in its analysis.' - The American Historical Review

Book Information
ISBN 9780415459570
Author N. Piers Ludlow
Format Paperback
Page Count 284
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 430g