Foreign Developments: Developments with the EEC under Thatcher

Question 1

What was the view of the Drys over the EEC?

Answer 1

Stay in the EEC but do not be heavily involved with it

Question 2

What was the view of the Wets over the EEC?

Answer 2

Fully contribute to the EEC

Question 3

What was the view of radical Labour MP’s over the EEC?

Answer 3

Leave the EEC

Question 4

Was Michael Heseltine a Eurosceptic or Europhile?

Answer 4

Europhile

Question 5

What did Thatcher realise with British EEC contributions when she became PM?

Answer 5

They were higher than Germany’s

Question 6

What was significant about Germany contributing less to the EEC than Britain?

Answer 6

Germany’s economy was performing better than Britain’s

Question 7

How much money did Thatcher get out of the £1 billion in rebates she demanded in 1979?

Answer 7

£700 million

Question 8

What did Thatcher demand from the EEC in 1980?

Answer 8

£1.5 billion in payments from 1980 to 1982

Question 8

What was suggested by the EEC in 1985?

Answer 8

They would create a single European currency

Question 9

Was Nigel Lawson a Eurosceptic or a Europhile?

Answer 9

Europhile

Question 10

Was Geoffrey Howe a Eurosceptic or a Europhile?

Answer 10

Europhile

Question 11

What did the head of the EEC emphasise in 1988?

Answer 11

More laws should be passed throughout Europe to protect employees

Question 12

Name 2 pieces of legislation Thatcher had previously passed which would not protect employees’ rights.

Answer 12

1980 Employment Act and 1982 Employment Act

Question 13

What did Thatcher want the recently liberated section of Germany to do in relation to the EEC in 1990?

Answer 13

Join the EEC separate to West Germany

Question 14

Why did Thatcher want East Germany to join the EEC separate to West Germany?

Answer 14

So it could counter West Germany

Question 15

How did the EEC feel about Thatcher’s views towards what she wished for East Germany?

Answer 15

They opposed it

Question 16

How did the Conservatives appear with Europe in terms of Unity?

Answer 16

They tried to present Britain as being united with the rest of Europe

Question 17

What did The EEC say about Britain’s relationship with the USA?

Answer 17

The EEC said Britain and the USA were too close

Question 18

What was the situation for Britain’s EEC budget contribution in 1980 compared to Germany?

Answer 18

They had to contribute more money than Germany, despite Germany having a stronger economy

Question 19

What issue was there with an EEC country during the Falklands conflict?

Answer 19

France had supplied Argentina with weapons during the Falklands Conflict

Question 20

When was the Single European Act passed?

Answer 20

1986

Question 21

Why was the Single European Act created?

Answer 21

To improve the economic performance of the EEC

Question 22

What did the Single European Act do?

Answer 22

Made trading easier among EEC countries

Question 23

What was the average European GDP growth rate from 1979 to 1989?

Answer 23

2%

Question 23

What was the average European GDP growth rate from 1950 to 1979?

Answer 23

4%

Question 24

Name 2 cabinet members that persuaded Thatcher to sign the Single European Act

Answer 24

Geoffrey Howe, Nigel Lawson

Question 25

Name a form of pay that would be implemented for employees under the 1986 Single European Act?

Answer 25

Holiday pay

Question 26

What was the purpose of the ERM?

Answer 26

To prepare for a move to a single European currency

Question 27

What year did Thatcher agree to join the ERM?

Answer 27

1990

Question 28

What did the ERM do to exchange rates?

Answer 28

Make exchange rates similar across all EEC countries

Question 29

What did Thatcher think about the ERM?

Answer 29

She opposed it

Question 30

Why did Thatcher oppose the ERM?

Answer 30

She did not want Britain to adopt a single European currency

Question 31

What was a large economic issue in Britain towards the end of Thatcher's third term?

Answer 31

Inflation

Question 32

What was inflation at in 1986?

Answer 32

3%

Question 33

What was inflation at by 1990?

Answer 33

10%

Question 34

What would happen for British currency if joining the ERM?

Answer 34

It would be kept at a high exchange rate

Question 35

What would be the impact of the British currency being at a hgih exchange rate?

Answer 35

It would increase the BoP deficit

Question 36

What was the BoP Deficit at in 1989?

Answer 36

£46 billion

Question 37

When did Thatcher do the Bruges Speech? (To the month)

Answer 37

September 1988

Question 38

What did Thatcher say in the Bruges Speech?

Answer 38

She opposed the EEC attempting to become like the USA

Question 39

What did Thatcher state in October 1988 about the single European currency?

Answer 39

Britain would never be under a single European currency

Question 40

What was the situation for cabinet divisions over Europe for most of Thatcher's first and second term?

Answer 40

There were no divisions

Question 41

What was the first event showing cabinet divisions over Europe and when?

Answer 41

The Westland Affair, 1986

Question 42

Who was Thatcher's main opposition in the Westland Affair?

Answer 42

Michael Heseltine

Question 43

What was the Westland Affair over?

Answer 43

If the last British helicopter company would be sold to an American company or a European company

Question 44

Who did Heseltine want the Westland Helicopter company to be sold to?

Answer 44

A European Company

Question 45

What was the impact of Thatcher selling Westland to an American company?

Answer 45

Michael Heseltine resigned

Question 46

What did Thatcher decide with the Westland Affair?

Answer 46

It would be sold to an American company

Question 47

What did Thatcher say about the Westland affair?

Answer 47

It was the closest she had come to resigning

Question 48

What did Lawson and Howe do after the Bruges Speech?

Answer 48

They attempted to reduce support for Thatcher within the party

Question 49

What did Nigel Lawson do in 1989? Why?

Answer 49

He resigned, because Thatcher worked closer wth her special economic adviser

Question 50

What happened with Geoffrey Howe in July 1989?

Answer 50

Thatcher fired him

Question 51

Why did Thatcher fire Howe?

Answer 51

Because of his pro-European views

Question 52

Who did Thatcher replace Howe with as Foreign Secretary?

Answer 52

John Major

Question 53

What was potentially significant for Major being the replacement for Howe and Lawson?

Answer 53

It helped to build up experience for him by the time of the November 1990 Conservative Leadership Ballots