Chapter 17

Question 1

What was Chamberlain facing increasing criticism for?

Answer 1

His policy of appeasement, failing to procure an alliance with Soviet Russia, for underestimating Hitler’s intentions

Question 2

What political event undermined Chamberlain’s leadership?

Answer 2

He claimed that ‘Hitler had missed the bus’ but a few days later Germany invaded Denmark and Norway

Question 3

Why was Chamberlain criticised for his economic policies?

Answer 3

Economic organisation was not urgent enough and the army was inadequately prepared and supplied

Question 4

What did Lloyd George say to denounce Chamberlain?

Answer 4

‘There is nothing which can contribute more to victory than that he should sacrifice his office

Question 5

What was Churchill’s largest military problem when he entered office in May 1940?

Answer 5

German armies were deep in Northern France and an invasion seemed imminent

Question 6

What did some Conservatives believe was necessary to end the war?

Answer 6

For Churchill to negotiate with Hitler to secure a good deal

Question 7

Why did Winston Churchill become a legend following the war?

Answer 7

His inspiring leadership was credited with unifying the nation

Question 8

What were Churchill’s biggest personality problems during the war?

Answer 8

He was impulsive, dictatorial, interfered with other government departments, was a poor commitee chairman

Question 9

Who were the members of Churchill’s 1940 war cabinet?

Answer 9

Churchill, Clement Attlee, Arthur Greenwood, Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax

Question 10

What were some of the key figures that permeated the war cabinet?

Answer 10

Ernest Bevin, Anthony Eden and Lord Woolton

Question 11

What was Sir John Anderson’s largest contribution to the war cabinet?

Answer 11

The Anderson air-raid shelter was named after him

Question 12

How many seats and what percentage of the vote did the Labour Party have in 1945?

Answer 12

393 seats and 47.8%

Question 13

How many seats and what percentage of the vote did the Conservative Party have in 1945?

Answer 13

213 and 39.8%

Question 14

What economic and social problems were the Conservative Party was blamed for before the war?

Answer 14

Appeasement, unemployment, and social deprivation

Question 15

How did the Labour Party benefit ideologically from the war?

Answer 15

There was a steady left-ward trend during the early 1940s, expansion of the trade-union movement, contribution of Soviet Union

Question 16

How did the Labour Party benefit economically from the war?

Answer 16

State intervention and state planning were popular, proposals for a welfare state were supported

Question 17

What was the difference between the Labour and Conservative manifestos?

Answer 17

‘Let Us Face the Future’ was more inspiring and radical (promising nationalisation, NHS, economic planning and social security), ‘Mr Churchill’s Declaration to the Voters’ was moderate and uncontroversial

Question 18

Why was Churchill himself unable to win the election?

Answer 18

Many Conservatives were complacent, but he was associated with the war, lost votes with the ‘Gestapo Speech’

Question 19

What other social factor contributed to Labour’s electoral victory?

Answer 19

20% of the electors were voting for the first time in 1945 - most of these in the army

Question 20

What were some of Attlee’s achievements during his six year premiership?

Answer 20

Nationalisation, Welfare State, establishment of NATO, Indian independence

Question 21

What were the aims of the Labour government in 1945?

Answer 21

To take industry into public ownership, to bring in universal welfare provisions, and to set up the NHS