Britain and the Continent — From Isolation to Integration

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Britain, with its insularity in location and once being the world’s greatest empire, carried the isolation policy for most of history, separating itself from the continental Europe in foreign affairs. For a long time, it has secured prosperity and prestige with special relationship with America and the good terms with members of the Commonwealth. However, wars, constant emergence of new economic rivals, member countries’ withdrawals from the Commonwealth, the unreliable ally, and the weakening national power have all obliged Britain to find a new partner to lean upon. Britain began to strengthen its ties with the continental Europe by joining the European Economic Community (EEC). But the path to EEC was not smooth although Britain finally accomplished its goal.