Churchill Flashcards

1
Q

Why was Churchill out of office 1929-39?

A

views on India, policy towards rearmament, previous reputation and views on the abdication crisis

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2
Q

what was Churchill’s previous reputation like?

A
  • Labour distrusted him as a result of his bitter attacks on trade unions during the general strike of 1926
  • after returning Britain to the gold standard, unemployment was high, so Churchill was blamed
  • aligned himself with right-wing imperialists
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3
Q

what was Churchill’s style like?

A

old fashioned, which is emphasised especially when contrasted to the modern Baldwin and Chamberlain

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4
Q

what were the problems in India?

A

there were widespread calls for independence, especially after British troops fired at a crowd at Amritsar 1919

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5
Q

How did BR help to solve the problems in India?

A

Gandhi attended talks in London which was followed by the passing of the Government of India Act 1935

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6
Q

Why did Churchill oppose BR policy?

A
  • served in the army in India as a young man
  • believed in the superiority of the white race and its destiny to rule
  • thought India would only be happy with full independence so concessions were a waste of time
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7
Q

What were the consequences of Churchill’s view on India?

A

many argued they were too extreme, he cut himself off from the Conservative party and aligned himself with old-fashioned imperialists

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8
Q

What was the abdication crisis?

A

the stable monarchy in BR was threatened when Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallace Simpson (2X American divorcee)

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9
Q

Why were many opposed to the marriage of Edward III and Mrs Simpson?

A
  • stigma around divorce and marrying someone who’s not british - concerned the public and the Archbishop of Canterbury
  • cabinet did not approve, if they married the gov. would have to resign
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10
Q

why did Churchill support the King?

A
  • devotion to hereditary
  • friendship with the King
  • sympathetic with the situation
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11
Q

what were the consequences of Churchill’s support of King Edward III?

A

he was a minority, he seemed oblivious to public opinion and again reinforced that he was old-fashioned

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12
Q

What was Churchill’s attitude towards Germany?

A
  • He saw Hitler’s regime as dangerous and a threat to the balance of power in Europe.
  • This worried him because he established the ToV in 1919 and he feared Hitler’s ultra-nationalist regime would break this.
  • Also feared GE would take over weaker countries as a result of WW1
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13
Q

what was Churchill’s attitude towards developments in GE?

A
  • saw rearmament as a threat.
  • warned BR after GE had stronger airpower than BR and introduced conscription in 1935
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14
Q

How did the gov. respond to Hitler’s rapid rearmament?

A

tried to limit through the Anglo-Ge Naval Treaty 1935. Churchill criticised this action

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15
Q

Why did Churchill not gain more support for his views on Germany?

A
  • some felt GE was treated harshly by the ToV
  • prominent anti-war mood
  • rearmament was unpopular
  • Churchill’s views lacked respect after his views on India and the abdication crisis
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16
Q

How did Churchill react to appeasement?

A
  • he was highly critical, especially of how Chamberlain gave into Germany demands on german soil at the Munich Agreement
  • this strengthened the German position
17
Q

What was Churchill’s policy regarding appeasement?

A

Churchill believed a strong stand by Britain and other nations would deter Germany

18
Q

Why was Churchill’s alternative to appeasement criticised at the time?

A

people feared that a war against GE would become a war against GE allies (Italy and Japan)

19
Q

when did Churchill become Prime Minister?

A

10th May 1940

20
Q

why was Churchill unpopular?

A
  • urged the Norway Campaign - which failed
  • other failures e.g. Gallipoli in WW1 and the restoration of the Gold Standard in 1926
  • the queen resented his support for Edward VIII
21
Q

What were the reasons for Chamerlain’s resignation?

A
  • was a ‘man of peace’, hard to be a wartime leader
  • he became ill
  • not waging war well enough
22
Q

What were the reasons for Churchill’s appointment?

A
  • became popular for his views on appeasement
  • determination to pursue war vigorously
  • military experience
  • experienced minister
  • powerful public speaker