Churchill Flashcards
Why was Churchill out of office 1929-39?
-Problems with India
-Abdication of Edward VIII
-Rearmament
-Appeasement to Hitler
what was Churchill’s previous reputation like?
- failure in gallipoli
- gold standard, harmed economy and increased unemployment
- his anti-appeasment stance about germany
- outdated views
- military leader
what was Churchill’s style like?
old fashioned
which is emphasised especially when contrasted to the modern Baldwin and Chamberlain
what were the problems in India?
- In the 1920’s and 1930’s there was pressure to give India their independence.
- Gandhi was a key leader in this movement.
- The India Act was passed in 1927.
How did BR help to solve the problems in India?
Gandhi attended talks in London which was followed by the passing of the Government of India Act 1935
Why did Churchill oppose BR policy in india?
- 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
- crownpiece of empire
What were the consequences of Churchill’s view on India?
- seen as outdated
- out of touch with British public
What was the abdication crisis?
the stable monarchy in BR was threatened when Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallace Simpson (2X American divorcee)
Why were many opposed to the marriage of Edward III and Mrs Simpson?
- 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 PM baldwin and his gov would resign
why did Churchill support the King?
- devotion to hierarchy
- friendship with the King
what were the consequences of Churchill’s support of King Edward III?
he was a minority, he seemed oblivious to public opinion and again reinforced that he was old-fashioned
What was Churchill’s attitude towards Germany?
- 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
what was Churchill’s attitude towards developments in GE?
- saw rearmament as a threat.
- warned BR after GE had stronger airpower than BR and introduced conscription in 1935
How did the gov. respond to Hitler’s rapid rearmament?
- tried to limit through the Anglo-Ge Naval Treaty 1935. Churchill criticised this action
- waited until after 1938 to do major action e.g. prescription, expanded RAF and factories produced weapons
Why did Churchill not gain more support for his views on Germany?
- 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
How did Churchill react to appeasement?
- he was highly critical
- e.g. how Chamberlain gave into Germany demands on german soil at the Munich Agreement
- argued Britain needed to rearm as Hitler was already doing so
when did Churchill become Prime Minister?
10th May 1940
why was Churchill unpopular?
- 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
What were the reasons for Chamerlain’s resignation?
- was a ‘man of peace’, hard to be a wartime leader
- not waging war well enough
- labour would not serve under him
What were the reasons for Churchill’s appointment?
- became popular for his views on appeasement
- determination to pursue war vigorously
- military experience
- labour refused to serve under chamberlain
- powerful public speaker
