Churchill as Wartime Prime Minister Flashcards

1
Q

In what ways was Churchill an effective leader during Britain’s darkest hour, 1940? (5)

A
  1. Ruthless decision maker.
  2. Gave inspiring speeches.
  3. Refused to negotiate with Germany.
  4. Remained positive in the face of defeat.
  5. Dedicated. Prepared to work unconventional hours.
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2
Q

What potential flaws were there with Churchill as wartime PM? (4)

A
  1. Strongly opinionated and unwilling to compromise.
  2. Poor military record with Gallipoli and Norway.
  3. President Roosevelt was unenthusiastic in regards to his appointment.
  4. Did not support Dowding in mobilising small groups of fighters after civilian bombings.
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3
Q

What was the Battle of Britain and when did it begin?

A

The Battle of Britain began in August 1940. Germany intended to destroy the RAF in order to maintain air power over Britain. In September, the Germans switched from attacking the RAF to bombing cities.

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4
Q

What was Churchill’s general view of his commanders? (2)

A
  1. He was frustrated by their caution and not building up forces.
  2. Believed they needed to be supervised in order to avoid the mass casualties of World War One.
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5
Q

What were Churchill’s commanders’ general view of him? (3)

A
  1. They were wary of his unpredictability.
  2. They were wary of his interference with unrealistic views e.g. Lord Cherwell.
  3. Aware of his poor record e.g. Gallipoli.
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6
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and Sir Hastings Ismay?

A

Ismay was close with Churchill and acted as a crucial go-between to smooth over relations with his generals. He was able to persuade Churchill to “be reasonable”.

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7
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and Lord Gort?

A

Gort ignored Churchill’s order for Calais to be defended against German advance at all costs and retreated from Dunkirk. Saved 300,000 men.

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8
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and Sir Alan Brooke?

A

Alan Brooke was the head of the army. He had to work closely with Churchill on a daily basis. Brooke was annoyed by Churchill’s interference, but the two agreed on major decisions.

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9
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and Sir Archibald Wavell?

A

Churchill personally disliked Wavell. Wavell was left short of troops and supplies, then blamed for defeats against Rommel’s German forces. He received little credit for later victories against Italian forces in North Africa.

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10
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and General Bernard Montgomery?

A

Montgomery was victorious in El Alamein against Rommel’s forces. Although he did not follow up this victory, allowing the Germans to regroup in Tunisia, Churchill still supported him. Montgomery also played a key role in Operation Market Garden.

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11
Q

What were relations like between Churchill and Sir John Dill?

A

Churchill and Dill disagreed with plans to send another British force to France mere weeks after Dunkirk. Dill was able to stop Churchill’s proposals after repeated argument. He was sacked by Churchill shorty after.

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12
Q

What were the positives of the North Africa campaign, 1940-1942? (4)

A
  1. The Suez Canal was defended.
  2. Victories boosted morale in the crisis of 1940.
  3. Prevented German forces linking up and gaining control of oil fields.
  4. Ended successfully at El Alamein.
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13
Q

What were the negatives of the North Africa campaign, 1940-1942? (3)

A
  1. British forces were less successful against Rommel’s forces than against the Italians.
  2. Battles didn’t make a major difference to the main German forces in northern Europe.
  3. Not a priority of the USA from December 1941 onwards.
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14
Q

What were the positives of the campaign in Greece, 1940-1941? (3)

A
  1. The British could potentially have created a Balkan front.
  2. Britain were able to draw out German forces.
  3. Potential to increase British influence.
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15
Q

What were the negatives of the campaign in Greece, 1940-1941? (2)

A
  1. Churchill underestimated the “soft underbelly of Europe”. British troops were defeated and forced out of Greece.
  2. Even if the campaign had been successful, it would have been unlikely to have created an end to the war.
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16
Q

What were the positives of the campaigns in Italy, 1943-1945? (3)

A
  1. Britain had naval supremacy and air power.
  2. Britain did not have to remove troops.
  3. Forced Germany to split their troops between fighting the USSR, D-Day and Italy.
17
Q

What were the negatives of the campaigns in Italy, 1943-1945? (5)

A
  1. Britain failed to prevent Germans from retreating to the mainland.
  2. Allies tied down in the fighting.
  3. Italy was not a serious threat. It had been weakened by defeats.
  4. Difficult to see how the defeat of Italy would have led to the defeat of Germany.
  5. Britain had already secured the Mediterranean.
18
Q

What were the positives of D-Day and the invasion of France, 1944-1945? (4)

A
  1. Churchill convinced the USA to delay the invasion from 1942, which gave Britain more time to prepare.
  2. German troops were pushed back through France and Germany.
  3. Allied forces were directed towards the main German armies.
  4. Eisenhower took leadership of the campaign as Brooke was reluctant to support D-Day.
19
Q

What were the negatives of D-Day and the invasion of France, 1944-1945? (3)

A
  1. Costly campaign against flexible forces.
  2. British troops were slow to break through and take the key port Caen.
  3. Churchill didn’t appreciate careful planning, valuing energy over expertise.
20
Q

What were the positives of Operation Market Garden, September 1944? (3)

A
  1. Britain showed energy and domination.
  2. Prompted imagination amongst generals.
  3. Took action when Britain felt other campaigns were moving too slowly.
21
Q

What were the negatives of Operation Market Garden, September 1944? (3)

A
  1. Bold and over-ambitious (similar to Gallipoli).
  2. Churchill failed to control his generals.
  3. The mission was flawed in planning, aim and execution.
22
Q

What were the main arguments in favour of bombing Germany? (4)

A
  1. An alternative way of waging war.
  2. Would destroy German morale and resources.
  3. The Blitz in 1940 had killed 60,500 in Britain.
  4. RAF Bomber Command was eager to show its worth.
23
Q

What were the main arguments against the bombing of Germany? (4)

A
  1. Unlikely to destroy German morale. Had not done so in Britain.
  2. Hitler had held loyal support since before the war.
  3. Specialist Report 1942 indicated that bombing was not effective or precise enough to damage German industry.
  4. There were ethical objections to killing large numbers of civilians.
24
Q

How many German civilians are estimated to have been killed by British bombs?

A

Between 40,000 and 60,000.

25
Q

Who initiated the bombing raids on Germany?

A

Sir Arthur Harris, the head of the RAF. This was met with the enthusiastic support of the USA.