# Britain applies to join the European Economic Community (1961)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1961-britain-applies-to-join-the-european-economic-community
Categories: main-event

The Macmillan government sought membership of the EEC. Within the broader Postwar & Modern Uk period, decolonization, welfare institutions, migration, European integration and withdrawal, devolution and social change reshaped the modern United Kingdom. This event is placed at 1961 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. Although France vetoed the application, the move marked a strategic shift toward European economic integration.

## Why it matters
Although France vetoed the application, the move marked a strategic shift toward European economic integration.

Ruler at the time: [Elizabeth II](https://english-history.com/rulers/elizabeth-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Britain applies to join the European Economic Community](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Britain+applies+to+join+the+European+Economic+Community&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Britain applies to join the European Economic Community](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Britain+applies+to+join+the+European+Economic+Community)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history)
- [The National Archives — Postwar collection](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-time-period/postwar/)