{"product_id":"european-integration-cold-war-rival-trade-groups-eec-efta-comecon-life-1962-map-p-7-028433","title":"European integration—Cold War—Rival Trade Groups—EEC—EFTA—COMECON—Life 1962 map","description":"\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003e'Rival Trade Groups'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn effective Cold War economic map of Europe, contrasting the continent’s three rival trading systems at a decisive moment in European integration. The six-member European Economic Community is shown in pale grey, the seven-member European Free Trade Association in darker grey, and the Soviet-led Council for Mutual Economic Assistance in orange. National boundaries and bold block colours make the political division instantly legible, while Spain, neutral Yugoslavia and Finland—then an EFTA associate rather than a full member—remain unshaded. The accompanying caption presents the expanding Common Market and possible British membership as the basis of an Atlantic economic unity capable of overwhelming COMECON, then credited with only a small share of world trade. Published in March 1962, the map predates President de Gaulle’s 1963 veto of Britain’s first application to join the EEC and captures an important, unresolved stage in the development of modern Europe. A concise LIFE graphic combining economic geography with the publication’s wider anti-communist argument.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antiquemapsandprints.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53723298791771,"sku":"P-7-028433","price":36.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0923\/9583\/1643\/files\/P-7-028433a.jpg?v=1785944817","url":"https:\/\/www.antiquemapsandprints.com\/products\/european-integration-cold-war-rival-trade-groups-eec-efta-comecon-life-1962-map-p-7-028433","provider":"Antiquemapsandprints.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}