Chamberlain Resignation Flashcards
1
Q
How many were unemployed and why was this bad?
A
- Over 1m people unemployed in February 1940, reflecting badly on Chamberlain’s organisational skills at a time of national emergency when full employment was essential.
2
Q
What did Attlee state?
A
‘He treated us like dirt’
3
Q
What was the government majority cut to?
A
- On the 8th of May, the government majority was cut from 200 to just 80 people.
4
Q
What was the final vote result on the 8th of May?
A
- It went from 281 to 200, with 60 Conservatives abstaining and 21 voting for Chamberlain.
5
Q
What happened to ‘Furious’?
A
‘Furious’ the aircraft carrier was sent without overhead protection and it ran into 2 German battleships and was destroyed.
6
Q
What did troops not have in Norway?
A
- Troops did not have quality equipment and warm clothing to cope with cold and harsh weather conditions within Norway, making soliders prone to death and severe illnesses.
7
Q
What was Chamberlain criticised for?
A
- Chamberlain has a huge reliance on appeasement which he was widely criticised for as it gave Germany time to prepare for war.
8
Q
Why didn’t Chamberlain like the Soviet Union?
A
- Chamberlain’s distrust of the Soviet Union due to his dislike of communism prevented any alliance with them, which considering Britains weak army would be a massive disadvantage.
9
Q
What was the relationship between Chamberlain and Trade Unions?
A
- Throughout the 1930s , industrial relations were poor between Chamberlain and the trade Unions due to austere government policies and the unemployment of the hungry 30s.
- When Chamberlain needed the union to fulfil his economic targets, they refused to work with him as he caused so much misery.
10
Q
What did Chamberlain have responsibility for?
A
- Chamberlain had ultimate responsibility for the Norway Campaign’s failure and was seen as an indictment of Chamberlain’s lacklustre leadership.
11
Q
What does Angus Calder argue?
A
- He suggests that it was not Chamberlain alone who contributed to difficulties faced by Britain, but that his optimism which now seems so feckless was shared by other leaders of both parties.
12
Q
What does Paul Addison argue?
A
- The major criticism of Chamberlain centred on his refusal to institute stronger coordination of the economy
13
Q
What does Mark Donnelly argue?
A
- Norway Campaign was seen as a manifestation of the deeper malaise which the Prime Minister’s consistent failures of leadership since the war started.
14
Q
What does Robert MacKay argue?
A
- That absolute readiness for war is probably an unattainable ideal for any country
