1929-1951

Question 1

WHY WAS CHURCHILL OUT OF OFFICE FOR SO LONG

Answer 1

Churchill was an outcast since he championed unpopular causes.
Seen as old-fashioned and Imperialistic

Question 2

WHY WAS HE SO UNPOPULAR IN THE 30s

Answer 2

Failure at Gallipoli during WW1
returning to the Gold standard.

Question 3

HOW DID CHURCHILL INCREASE HIS PROFILE IN THE 30s

Answer 3

Opposed Ghandi and Indian Independence
Supported the Abdication of King Edward VIII
Insisted on Rearmament
Opposed Concessions to Hitler in Appeasement.

Question 4

WHAT WAS CHURCHILLS VIEW ON INDIA

Answer 4

served in India as Young Officer

Saw India as the Jewel in the crown of the Empire

Believed India should be Protected

Believed in Anglo-Saxon Racial superiority over Indians

Question 5

HOW DID BRITAINS RULE IN INDIA COME UNDER THREAT

Answer 5

British Raj came under fire as Indian popu. wanted independence

Largest Movement led by Ghandi, wanted non-violent, non-cooperation

Rowlatt act 1919- Increased police power in India-allowing prisoners to be imprisoned without trial

Question 6

INDIA INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT RESPONSE

Answer 6

Gandhi-Mass disobedience campaign
-Mass march to the sea in protest to
salt tax.

1935-Government of India act

Question 7

CHURCHILLS VIEW ON INDIA AND REACTION TO HIS VIEWS.

Answer 7

Churchill was Bitterly opposed to Indian Independence.

Public wanted self Government in British territories.

Churchills support of Racist organisation isolated him further

Question 8

WHAT WERE CHURCHILLS VIEWS ON REARMEMENT

Answer 8

Churchill was intent on maintaining British power and influence and became increasingly alarmed about the situation in Germany.

Wary of Hitler’s Brutality

Feared Germany’s navy and Air force could threaten the British.

Question 9

WHY HAD BRITAIN NOT REARMED

Answer 9

Churchill’s critics pointed out that Churchill himself was responsible for Britain’s disarming in the 1920’s and his backing of the 10 Year Rule

Wall street crash-financial Crisis of 1929

WW1 developed from an arms race population. thought it was reckless repeating it

Many felt sympathy for Germany and how they were treated by the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 10

WHAT WAS BRITAINS WORLD POSITION IN THE 30s

Answer 10

Britain was a net gainer- Formidable navy-Empire Grew-new oil reserves

public opinion nor Britain’s economic strength permitted keeping gains

Britain was unprepared for war.

Question 11

HOW WAS GERMANY REARMING

Answer 11

Conscription 1935
Re-militarised Rhineland 1936
Germany left league of Nations
Anglo-German Naval treaty-allowed Germany to build up own navy.

Question 12

Why does Chamberlain opt for the policy of appeasement?

Answer 12

Chamberlain believed engaging in peace negotiations with Germany would bring down the possibility of war. The Army and Navy had inadequate resources to combat Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Question 13

HOW DID GERMANY EXPAND ITS BORDERS

Answer 13

Annexation of Austria -1938
Hitler Invader sudetenland-1938

Question 14

Why was the invasion of the Sudetenland problematic?

Answer 14

Moving the Czech border would remove vital fortifications and render her defenceless

Chamberlain put pressure on the Czechs to make concessions and flew to negotiate with Hitler. This failed and the PM was embarrassed

Question 15

What was the outcome of the Munich Conference?

Answer 15

Chamberlain’s pursuit of personal diplomacy led him to ask Hitler to sign a pact without consultation, which he considered a triumph. However, the public’s admiration for him quickly faded.

Question 16

Had Chamberlain’s actions failed Britain?

Answer 16

Rationally, Chamberlain bought time for rearmament and avoiding a war that Britain was unprepared for. Hitler threatened to dominate Europe, and Chamberlain made empty guarantees to other states, including Poland.

Question 17

Was Churchill’s reaction to Munich realistic?

Answer 17

Churchill opposed negotiations with Hitler, advocating for a united front against Germany’s expansion. He believed Britain’s vulnerability would only encourage further territorial gains and advocated a forceful stance.

Question 18

What were the arguments against Churchill’s view?

Answer 18

Britain and France were unprepared for war and lacked a counter-offensive strategy. The US was isolationist, and Churchill’s belief in the League of Nations was misplaced.

Question 19

What was the state of the British monarchy in 1936?

Answer 19

• British monarchy remained stable in early 20th century.
• George V was a respected monarch who supported war effort.
• Edward VIII was known for partying and pursuing women despite his public responsibilities and service in the war.

Question 20

Why was Edward a controversial figure?

Answer 20

King Edward’s desire to marry a divorced American and his relationship with Hitler caused controversy due to his position as the leader of the Church of England.

Question 21

What was Churchill’s Role in the War 1944-45

Answer 21

• The US dominated Britain after 1940.
• The USSR played a crucial role.
• Britain suffered losses in Normandy and was a junior partner to the USA.
• Churchill played a minor role in the Yalta meetings.
• The Mediterranean campaign was critical, and British forces were stretched thin.

Question 22

Britain’s Aims by 1944

Answer 22

• Britain joined the war to defend Poland
• Heavy bombing and allying with USSR damaged Britain’s reputation
• The US controlled the war strategy and stationed troops in Britain
• The East was lost to Japan
• India remained important to Britain despite US opposition to imperialism

Question 23

How was Britain preparing for life after the war?

Answer 23

After WWI, radical social reforms were deemed a distraction from achieving victory.
However, the wartime coalition headed by Churchill made significant progress in planning the post-war period and paved the way for essential reforms after 1945.

Question 24

How did Churchill manage his relationship with Roosevelt?

Answer 24

Leaders of two English-speaking democracies didn’t always agree. Their relationship started poorly but their partnership is seen as having saved the West.