Churchill booklet 5 Flashcards
Positive social change circa 1929
Social change in regard to the position of women.
Media evolution enhanced communication.
More policies increased representation of social groups within government.
Importance of banking and financial services.
Negative social change circa 1929
Economic decline, long-lasting depression.
Liberals/ conservatives struggled to hold office.
Loss of faith in old values of patriotism and post-war depression.
Industry struggled and the Empire became costly and difficult to defend.
5 Examples of situations in other countries in the 1930s
1.Wall Street Crash of 1929.
2. Emergence of Hitler/ nazism.
3. Indian uprisings against British colonial rule.
4. National government of 1930 in England.
5. Abdication crisis of 1936.
Why was Churchill out of government in 1929-1939?
His actions:
1. He was in conflict with the majority of his party/leaders because he took up unpopular causes.
2. Old-fashioned speaking style.
3. Economists argued Churchill made the wrong descision when returning to the Gold Standard in 1925.
Not his actions:
1. Formation of the National coalition government meant there was no room for Churchill.
Why was Churchill seen as an inappropriate MP in 1931?
- Seen as renegade unable to keep a calm, confident and united government.
- His Galipoli campaign in WW1 was condemned because of the high human cost.
- His pre-war speeches often attacked Conservative views in the House of Lords.
Why did INDIA set Churchill apart from mainstream conservatives?
Majority of poltical opinion wanted to come to an agreement with Gandhi and the indian nationalists, Churchill opposed Indian Independance.
Why did the ABDICATION OF KING EDWARD VIII set Churchill apart from mainstream conservatives?
Behaviour didn’t demand conservative respect, the King’s marriage proposal was controversial and unpopular but Churchill was a sycophant.
Why did REARMAMENT set Churchill apart from mainstream conservatives?
Public opinion against war and the economy was too weak but Churchill urged for rearmament.
Why did CONCESSIONS TO HITLER set Churchill apart from mainstream conservatives?
Churchill made it clear to resist German expansion and opposed the appeasement policy in 1938. Britain going to war to protect from German rule over ethnic Germans seemed illogical and was unpopular amongst people and politicians.
Indian Independance timeline
1919- Rowlatt Acts which increased police powers allowing imprisonment without trial.
1919- Montagu-Chelmsford which meant locally elected councils could control internal matters.
April 1919- Gandhi campgained against the Rowlatt Acts and police fired killing 400 and wounding 120, further fuelled nationalism.
Late 1920s- British government faced calls for indepenance.
1930- Gandhi led a mass march in protest of the salt tax resulting in his arrest.
1930-31- Conferences in London held to get agreement to end conflicts.
1933- Britain announces intentions of granting India a greater self-governance.
1935- Government of India Act passed, electorate expanded to 35 million and elected legistatures established to manage local affairs.
1937- Govenment of India Act came into effect.
Why had the circumstances changed to increase Indian self-governance?
Colonial opposition pressures throughout the 20s and 30s from a nationalist motive, pressure from the educated elite and the mass populace.
What did Churchill see as his duty?
To launch a personal crusade to defend British interests and allied with British reactionaries.
Why was he isolated from moderate conservatives?
Extreme public statements and support of eccentric and racist organisatopns opposed to the moderate conservatives.
What did Churchill do in 1934?
Threatened to shatter conservative policy to make the Secretary of India resign.
How did he react to the Government of India Act?
Stopped agitating and allied with a close friend who was a poltical supporter of Gandhi.
Why was salt seen as a good focus of Protest?
Indian salt production was controlled by the British and it was heavily taxed (huge source of income controlled by Britain).
How did it make Britian look ridiculous?
Collecting the salt and refusing to pay tax challenged Britain and echoed how the USA gained independance.
Condemned because 60,000 protesters had been wrongfully imprisoned- shows a lack of control/ authority.
Summarise the Abdication crisis of 1936
Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, widespread disapproval especially as he was head of the Church of England.
