A level exam: Chapter 17-Political developments Flashcards
What were the reasons for the fall of Chamberlain?
With the outbreak of war, Chamberlain faced increasing criticism for appeasement as he took as many steps as possible to avoid war, including meeting with Hitler. He was also criticised for the ‘phoney war’ as he said that Hitler had mussed the bus a few days before they invaded Denmark and Norway. He also failed to organise the economy for war and many MPs felt that the army was inadequately prepared and supplied. Chamberlain failed to win the support of Labour and when he opened a debate about Norway, he faced attacks from Conservative backbenchers. He faced pressure to resign and as therre was no chance of Liberal or Labour support, he resigned.
How did Churchill’s time as PM begin?
When he took over in 1940, he faced issues as the Expeditionary Forces were trapped on the Channel Coast and so plans had to be made for 300000 men to be evacuated from Dunkirk. The fall of France looked likely and an invasion seemed imminent. Many of his Conservative ministers wanted peace negotiations with Hitler but Churchill convinced the cabinet to continue fighting.
How was Churchill seen during and after the war?
He became a legend and his inspiring leadership was credited with unifying the nation. He was impulsive and dictatorial and was not interested in finance, economics or agriculture. Instead all he cared about was war. Luckily, he had Atlee as a deputy prime minister and he was an effective organiser.
What government was formed under Churchill?
Churchill formed a new government and as Chamberlain was still leader of the Conservatives, he brought in Liberal and Labour politicians. His 1940 war cabinet included himself, Clement Atlee (Labour), Arthur Greenwood (Labour), Neville Chamberlain (Conservative) and Lord Halifax (Conservative). There were also other key figures, including Bevin, Eden, Beaverbrook, Wood, Anderson and Woolton.
How did Labour strengths impact on the 1945 election?
Labour had recovered from when they were last in power and had shown that they were trustworthy in the war cabinet. Their propaganda played on Conservative mistakes and their campaign of lets face the future gave hope after the war. They had promised social reforms and a welfare state, which also appealed to the people. Atlee was a calm leader and he had led Labour well.
How did Conservative mistakes influence the 1945 election?
The election was called too soon after war and so many conservative candidates were still at war. They were complacent as Lloyd George had stayed in power after WW1 and Churchill believed that he had led the country well. His Gestapo police was seen as an insult to Labour and backfired on the Conservatives and they lacked a positive propaganda programme. They also made it seem as if they were going to abandon the welfare state.
How did the impact of the war effect the 1945 election?
The expansion of the Trade Union movement during the war meant that there was an expansion of Labour voting. The war increased the sense of shared experience and made state intervention seem like a good idea as it had worked during the war. Also, Russia had been key in defeating the Germans, which meant socialism was seen in a good light.
What was Atlee like as Prime Minister?
He was overshadowed by Churchill but had played a key role during the war time coalition. He was an effective chairman of meetings and he was efficient at dealing with paperwork. He successfully implemented nationalisation and a welfare state.
What were Labour’s ideologies and aims?
Labour was a Socialist Party but it didn’t follow extreme socialism. It aimed to complete nationalisation by taking industry into state ownership and to set up the NHS as a welfare provision. It wanted a mixed economy where state run and private businesses would exist side by side. It also was unsympathetic to the socialist ideas of the Soviet Union.
