Did the United Kingdom, by joining the European Community in 1973, put an end to the original ‘Europe of the Six’ project?

[julie09]

[DryGermanGuy]

No? Because "Europe of the Six" was never a limit, just the core or the start.

[julie09]

Not entirely accurate. In reality, Europe could have enlarged under certain conditions. De Gaulle would never have accepted such a European Union, which is why he vetoed the United Kingdom’s entry into the Europe of the Six twice.

[DryGermanGuy]

But that was a special rivalry between France and the UK. Which was ultimately resolved. 🤷‍♂️

[julie09]

We resolved it by renouncing the founding principle of the ‘Europe of Six’.

[DryGermanGuy]

That's not how I understand that part of Europe's history... From how I remember it, it was about integrating the "competing" systems of that first Coal and Steel Union/EC with the EFTA. And France's problem with the UK was largely tied to Charles de Gaulle's sentiments.

[julie09]

Because Charles de Gaulle viewed the ‘Europe of the Six’ not merely as an economic market, but as a political one. He refused to allow the United Kingdom to join because the UK was too closely aligned with the US, and because Britain’s entry would have acted as a counterweight to French power. Furthermore, he knew that the UK viewed Europe primarily as an economic market. The successive enlargements of the European Union have stifled any possible political direction, thereby strengthening American influence. In short, it is a far cry from the original project.

[purplepoppy]

Sshhh, we're trying to sneak back in.

[julie09]

😂 First you helped change the original project, and now you want back in? The plot thickens.

[purplepoppy]

Seriously though, this very quick documentary explains it perfectly
https://youtu.be/lFBgQpz_E80?is=43dEXKEba0FtNfSr

[MrChinaski]

@purplepoppy lmao

[Anonymous]

Nope

[julie09]

Please explain your opinion in more detail

[Opinion Owner]

I need help from poppy

[julie09]

Has Poppy ever given a non-ironic answer? 😅

[Opinion Owner]

She knows everything she’s British and my teacher. And I have a crush on her.

[julie09]

Haha. So you just answered that question at random?

[Opinion Owner]

I’ll teach you about Pearl Harbor day. I’m an American as far as a Brit’s Poppy will have to answer your question. She’s training me.