Churchill Revision Flashcards
What was Churchill’s view of India and its role in Britain’s Empire? (give 2 examples)
He believed British rule was essential to stop India decending into chaos and violence
He saw Indians as culturally and racially inferior to the British. Referred to Gandhi as “half naked - fakir”
How were Churchill’s views on India seen as old fashioned at the time?
Figures like Clement Attlee, who became prime minister after World War II, were proponents of decolonization and were open to dismantling the empire in a responsible manner.
The Indian independence movement gained significant traction and Britain many of the more of the liberal circles saw the inevitability of a form of Indian independence
What was the Rowlatts Act 1919?
authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities.
What were the 1919 Montagu – Chelmsford measures?
The central list included rights over defence, foreign affairs, telegraphs, railways, postal, foreign trade.
Aimed to adress growing Indian demands.
Who was Mohandas Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India who led the movement for India to be an independent country.
What were the demands of Indian independence movement?
Independence from the British rule
End to British economic Exploitation
Social equality
International recognition
What were Churchills reactions to the independence movement? (2 examples)
He believed that allowing Indians more power would weaken British control over India, which he saw as essential to maintaining the British Empire.
Churchill believed the British were the only ones capable of governing India and consistently denigrated Indian leaders, particularly Gandhi, for their attempts at securing self-rule.
How did Churchill’s stance on India contribute to the decision to not include him in the National Government of September 1931? (2 reasons).
His extreme views and comments on Indian leaders like Gandhi alienated him from his colleagues in the conservative party.
Churchill’s political extremism isolated him from the mainstream of British politics in the early 1930s.
Why Edward VIII wanted to abdicate in 1936.
He wanted to marry Wallace Simpson an American divorcee which would not be allowed in the Church of England at the time.
Why did Churchill support Edward VIII in his abdication? (3 reasons)
Good friendship and personal loyalty willing to support him.
Churchill did not necessarily support Edward’s abdication per se but rather sought a compromise that would allow Edward to remain King while marrying Wallis Simpson.
Churchill believed that Baldwin’s government failed to give Edward VIII enough time and flexibility to resolve the issue.
What were the consequences of Churchill’s support of the king?
Caused him to become politically isolated .
Damaged his reputation .
Set back in political career .
Seen as out of touch .
How did Britain respond to German rearmament in the 1930s?
pursued a policy of appeasement, which sought to prevent conflict by making concessions to Germany.
Britain began a gradual rearmament program.
How did Chamberlain not approve of British foreign policy when he came to office in 1937? (give 3 examples)
Opposition to Collective Security via the League of Nations.
Chamberlain was critical of British foreign policy commitments that extended Britain’s responsibilities far beyond Europe.
Disapproval of a Confrontational Approach to Germany.
What is the policy of Appeasement?
refers to the diplomatic strategy, aimed at preventing war by making concessions to aggressive powers—most notably Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler. Goal was to maintain peace in Europe. By addressing some grievances that some of the powers had.
How did Britain respond to Germany’s expansion of territory in the 1930s?
through a policy of appeasement, aiming to avoid war by making concessions.
Allowed Hitler to remilitarize the Rhineland (1936), annex Austria (1938), and seize the Sudetenland through the Munich Agreement (1938).
