The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can 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.
Key learning points
- After WW2, the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded to forge peaceful connections in Europe.
- Britain joined the EEC (now EU) in 1973 to counter its waning influence after the end of Empire.
- In the 1980s, a European single market was created which allowed free movement of people within the EEC.
- Eastern European countries joined the EU after the USSR's collapse, many citizens of which moved to Britain.
- Opposition to migration from the EU contributed to the 2016 Brexit Referendum.
Keywords
European Economic Community - a trading bloc created by European powers after WW2, also known as the EEC and later named the European Union (EU)
Brexit - a term coined after the UK voted to leave the EU, referring to British exit from the European Union
Referendum - a vote held in which citizens vote directly on a closed question
Eurosceptic - someone who is generally against close ties with the European Union
Common misconception
The European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Union (EU) have always been the same entity with identical goals and functions.
The evolution from the EEC to the EU over several decades, showing progressively deepening integration. This was not a seamless transition but involved significant changes in scope and objectives.
Teacher tip
Highlight key milestones like the Treaty of Rome (1957), the Single European Act (1986) and the Maastricht Treaty (1992) when teaching about the evolution of the EEC into the EU.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the following sentence: The term British Territory is used to describe small countries still under the control of the UK.
Q2.Which countries have laid claim to the Falkland Islands in the past?
Q3.Under the dictatorship of General Galtieri, which country invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982?
Q4.How large was the exclusion zone placed around the Falkland Islands by the British?
Q5.Which British Prime Minister responded to the invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982?
Q6.What was the result of the 1982 Falklands War?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why was the European Economic Community (EEC) primarily created?
Q2.Which country vetoed Britain from joining the EEC twice?
Q3.Which of the following officially turned the EEC into the EU?
Q4.What is the term commonly used for Britain voting to leave the EU?
Q5.What was the result of the referendum regarding Britain's membership of the EU in 2016?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The impact of the EU on migrant experiences in Britain, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Britain: Migration, empires and the people - c790 to the present day unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.