Hi there, I'm Mr. Roberts and thanks for joining me for today's history lesson where my job will be to guide you, through our history resources.

I'll be making sure that by the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to securely meet our lesson objective.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to recall that the UK joined the EEC in 1973 and that this led to an influx of Eastern and central European immigration in the early 21st century.

There are four key terms which we need to make sure we're comfortable with.

European Economic Community refers to a trading block, created by European powers after World War II, also known as the EEC and later named the European Union or the EU.

Brexit was a term coined after the UK voted to leave the EU, referring to British exit from the European Union.

A referendum is a vote held in which citizens vote directly on a closed or yes, no question, and a eurosceptic is someone who is generally against closed ties with the European Union.

Our lesson on Britain and the European Union is separated into four learning phases and the first one revolves around the founding of the European Economic Community, which was the forerunner to the European Union.

After World War II, Europe was devastated and there was a pressing need to rebuild economies and foster peace.

European leaders determined to prevent another large scale conflict, believed that peace was more likely if countries set aside differences in language, culture and history to work together.

Before we move on, let's answer the following question.

Which two of the below were the main aims of politicians in Europe after World War II? A, preventing another war.

B, working with other nations or C, starting another war.

Pause the video while you come to a decision on the answer and then press Play when you are ready to continue.

Welcome back and well done if you said A and B.

In 1957, the European Economic Community or EEC, was established by the Treaty of Rome, with Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany as founding members.

The primary aim was to create a common market, under customs union, which would facilitate economic cooperation and integration to prevent future conflicts.

A strong, unified Europe was also seen as a potential powerful trading block that could compete with the increasingly influential USA.

Initially, Britain did not join the EEC or its precursor the European Coal and Steel Community.

At the time, Britain had strong ties with countries that were still part of the British Empire and those that had gained independence and were part of the commonwealth as well as close links with the USA.

However, by the early 1960s with more countries gaining independence from Britain and the EECs growing economic success, the situation began to change.

Britain's economic and geopolitical influence was weakening, following the dissolution of its empire.

To rejuvenate its economy and strengthened its political standing in Europe, Britain applied to join the EEC in 1961.

After two vetoes by France President Charles de Gaulle, who was suspicious of Britain's relationship with the USA and its trade links with the Commonwealth.

Britain finally joined the EEC in 1973, alongside Denmark and Ireland.

Now, let's try the following.

True or false, Britain initially did not want to join the EEC? Pause the video while you decide on the answer and then press Play to resume.

Welcome back.

Well done if you said it is true that Britain did not initially want to join the EEC.

Now, I'd like you to pause the video again and consider why this might be and press Play when you are ready to continue with the lesson.

Hello again.

Well done if you said that Britain initially did not want to join the EEC, because it already had strong ties with the Commonwealth and the USA and for our first task today, I'd like you using your learning so far to discuss with your learning partner why Britain changed its mind regarding joining the EEC.

Pause the video while you do this and then press Play when you are ready for some suggestions.

Hello again and well done if you talked about, explained or listed any of the following.

Britain was initially reluctant to join the EEC, primarily due to its strong economic and political ties with commonwealth countries and the USA.

However, by the 1960s, Britain's economic and geopolitical influence was weakening due to the breakup of its empire and thus it applied to join the EEC in 1961.

Well done there and now it's time to move on to the second part of our lesson today where we'll be learning about European integration and the single market.

In 1979, the European parliament was established and members of the European parliament or MEPs were elected by EEC citizens.

Initially, the European parliament had an advisory role, but it eventually gained the power to pass laws applicable to all member countries.

The 1980s marked significant advancements in European integration.

During this decade, Greece, Spain and Portugal joined the EEC, bringing the total number of member countries to 12.

The single European Act signed in 1986, aimed to create a single market within the EEC by 1992.

The idea behind this was to eliminate barriers to trade and unify regulations across member states.

The single market allowed for the free movement of goods, services, capital and people across member states.

This move towards economic integration was crucial for boosting trade and investment, among EEC countries fostering economic growth and solidifying the EEC as a powerful economic group on the world stage.

It also represented a critical step, towards the eventual establishment of the European Union or EU as it set a foundation for deeper cooperation.

Let's try a true or false question now.

True or false? In 1979, the European Parliament was established initially with an advisory role, which is still its role today.

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer and then press Play when you're ready for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back and well done if you identified the correct answer as false.

Now, I'd like you to pause the video and consider why this statement is false and press Play to continue with our lesson when you are ready.

Hello again and well done.

If you identified that the answer is false because the European Parliament eventually gained power to pass laws applicable to all member countries.

Next, I'd like you to complete the sentence on the screen.

Pause the video while you do this and then press Play when you are ready for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back and well done if your sentence looks like this, the single market allowed for the free movement of goods, services, money and people between member countries, and for our second larger task today, I'd now like you to use your learning so far to explain the significance of the single market.

Pause this video while you complete this task and then press Play for another model answer with which you can compare yours.

Welcome back.

I asked you to explain the significance of the single market and well done if your answer looked anything like this.

By aiming to eliminate barriers to trade and unify regulations across member states by 1992, the single market enabled goods, services, capital and people to move freely throughout Europe.

This move towards economic integration was crucial for boosting trade and investment among EEC countries fostering economic growth and solidifying the EU as a powerful economic group on the world stage.

The single market also set a foundation for deeper cooperation and laid the groundwork for further political and economic integration within Europe.

A big well done for all your efforts on that task, and now it's time for us to move on to the third part of our lesson today, but we'll be looking at the subsequent enlargement of the European Union.

On the 7th of February, 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed in the Dutch City of Master and became affected on the 1st of November, 1993.

This treaty transformed the European Economic Community into the European Union and formalised the creation of a single market.

This treaty extended cooperation amongst member countries to include foreign affairs and set the stage for further expansion.

Three additional countries became members in 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden and the EU agreed to accept more members in the future.

Now let's have a go at the following question, which treaty transformed the EEC into the EU? A, the Treaty of Rome B, the Treaty of Versailles, or C, the Maastricht Treaty.

Pause this video while you decide on the answer and then press Play when you are ready to resume.

Welcome back and well done if you said C.

The Maastricht Treaty transformed the EEC into the EU.

The early 1990s also marked the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, which dramatically reshaped the political landscape of Europe.

Many Eastern European countries previously under communist rule sought to join the EU as a means to secure economic prosperity and democratic governance.

In 2004, eight Eastern and central European nations joined the EU.

This was followed by the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007 and Croatia in 2013, bringing the total number of EU member countries to 28.

This enlargement brought significant demographic changes as some citizens from these new member states moved to more prosperous Western European countries, including Britain in search of better opportunities.

Now, let's have a go at the following question.

By 2013, how many countries were now members of the European Union? A, 18; B, 28, or C, 38.

As I've paused this video while you decide on the answer and then press Play when you are ready to resume.

Welcome back and well done if you said B, 28 countries were now members of the EU by 2013.

And for our third larger task in our lesson today, have a listen to the following statement.

The signing of the Maastricht Treaty in February, 1992 was very significant.

This statement is correct.

Using your learning so far, pause the video and add three pieces of evidence to support it.

Come back to this video and press Play when you are ready for some suggestions.

Hello again and well done if you added anything like this.

The Maastricht Treaty signed in February, 1992 turned the European Economic Community into the European Union.

It broadened cooperation among member states to include foreign affairs and laid the groundwork for EU expansion.

As eastern and central European nations sought EU membership after the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Several joined in 2004, 2007, and 2013.

This broad demographic changes as citizens from these countries moved to Western Europe for better opportunities.

Well done once again 'cause with that task complete, we can now move on to the fourth and final phase of our learning today where we'll be learning about the Euro migration and Brexit.

In 1999, 12 EU member countries agreed to adopt the Euro as their currency.

This resulted in around 300 million Europeans carrying the same coins and notes.

However, Britain chose not to adopt the Euro, which is now used in 19 of the 28 EU member countries from its entry into the EEC in 1973, the British public had been divided over EEC or EU membership.

Pro Europeans believed that Britain benefited from strong trade links and the collective security offered by the EU.

They saw membership as economically advantageous and politically stabilising.

On the other hand, Euro sceptics argued that Britain was different from other European countries due to its unique history, traditions, and culture.

They felt that membership of first, the EEC, and later the EU compromised British independence and identity and believed that Britain should be free to make its own decisions.

Now let's have a go at the following question, what event which Britain chose not to take part in, enhanced euroscepticism in Britain? A adoption of the Euro, B, the Maastricht Treaty, or C, the Treaty of Rome? Pause the video while you decide on the answer and then press Play when you are ready to resume.

Welcome back, and well done if you said A, adoption of the Euro, which Britain chose not to partake in increased Euro scepticism in Britain.

The 2004 enlargement of the EU, which included eight Eastern and central European countries, brought significant demographic changes as citizens from these new member states move to more prosperous western European countries, including Britain.

This influx led to growing concerns among some members of the British public about job competition, strain on public services and cultural integration.

These issues fueled anti-immigration sentiments and were major factors leading up to the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Euro sceptics capitalised on these anxieties promising to regain control over immigration and reclaim British sovereignty from the EU.

In contrast, pro Europeans argued that Britain was economically, politically, and militarily more secure as part of the EU and pointed to the benefits of immigration.

Ultimately, the referendum resulted in a 52% vote to leave the EU and a 48% vote to remain.

This incredibly close yet binding referendum results marked a significant shift in Britain's relationship with Europe, with the UK eventually leaving the EU in 2020.

And for our final learning check, have a think about the following, true or false question, true or false enlargement of the European Union in 2004, increased Euro scepticism in Britain.

Pause the video while you decide on the correct answer and then press Play when you are ready for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back.

Well done if you identified the correct answer as true.

Now, I'd like you to pause the video and consider why this statement is true.

A press Play resume with our lesson when you are ready.

Hello again and well done if you identified that the 2004 enlargement of the EU saw people from new member states move to richer western European countries, including Britain.

This led to concerns from some Britain's about jobs, public services, and cultural integration.

Now it's time for our final written task today.

Using your learning so far, complete the table on the screen with details about each feature of the EU.

Pause the video while you complete this task and then press Play when you are ready for me to provide some suggestions for what you could have written.

Hello again and well done if you managed to populate your table with any of the following information.

The Euro was adopted by 19 of the 28 EU member countries, not including the UK, and the Euro introduced uniform coins and notes for around 300 million Europeans.

Brexit resulted from a 2016 referendum with 52% of British people voting to leave the EU.

Brexit also reflected divisions over British sovereignty and identity influenced by concerns over immigration and cultural integration.

Really well done there.

With that task complete, we've arrived at the end of our lesson today, and all that's left for us to do is to summarise our key learning points, and it will be great if you could remember these moving forward.

Firstly, the EEC was founded after World War II in the hope of reducing chances of another war.

It later developed into the EU.

Secondly, Britain joined the EEC in 1973 after its economic and political influence over its former colonies was reduced.

Thirdly, in the 1980s, a single market was created within the EU, which allowed free movements of people, goods, money, and services.

In addition, many new EU citizens from Eastern and central Europe took the opportunity to migrate to more prosperous countries like Britain.

And finally, opposition to increased migration contributed to a 2016 referendum, which resulted in the UK leaving the EU and events which became known as Brexit.

Thank you so much for joining me for our lesson today.

It's been a real pleasure to guide you through our history, learning resources, and I very much look forward to seeing you again in the future where we'll be zooming out and looking at the broader experiences of post World War II migrants to Britain.