The European Union

  The ideal of a united Europe, has the strong economic and political system, draws some European politicians in the second world war ii (1939-45). Create an urge to the peace, prosperity damage over several centuries Europe after the two world wars and hostility and distrust with the European powers.
  Basic relatively complete Europe in 1957 so far in west Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and ii. It signed the treaty of Rome, formed the European economic community (EEC). Britain did not join, but help create European free trade association (efta) in 1959. British alienated himself from European connection in the 1950s and saw its future transaction mode of the commonwealth and the "special relationship" and the United States.

However, European commitment in part British society in the 1960s, this is affected by the national growing social and economic problems. But want to join the European economic community in Britain is French president Charles de Gaulle. he was critical of the relationship, the United States (especially in nuclear degree policy), inquires the British commitment to Europe, also don't want let British community leadership rivals

  A new labor government (1974) in Harold Wilson to the English people committed to continue a referendum on membership.After further renegotiations the last day of the period when a referendum in 1975, the first in the British political history.