Churchill Flashcards
Why was Churchill out of office 1929-39?
views on India, policy towards rearmament, previous reputation and views on the abdication crisis
what was Churchill’s previous reputation like?
- 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
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?
there were widespread calls for independence, especially after British troops fired at a crowd at Amritsar 1919
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?
- 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
What were the consequences of Churchill’s view on India?
many argued they were too extreme, he cut himself off from the Conservative party and aligned himself with old-fashioned imperialists
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 gov. would have to resign
why did Churchill support the King?
- devotion to hereditary
- friendship with the King
- sympathetic with the situation
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
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