Churchill's career before 1929

Question 1

Family heritage?

Answer 1

From an aristocratic family (father was Lord Randolph who was a leading Tory MP)

Question 2

Military career?

Answer 2

• Served as a soldier in India and Sudan before entering politics
• First Lord of the Admiralty in 1914 which eventually led to the Galipoli landings which failed miserably
• 1899 Churchill fought in the Boer War in which he was captured and eventually returned to Britain and seen as a hero

Question 3

Personality?

Answer 3

• Outspoken and controversial
• Admired for his speeches
• Loved debating

Question 4

Controversial figure?

Answer 4

• Betrayed the conservatives when he switched to liberals in 1904 which could be motivated by career climbing instead of ideology
• Poorly planned attack in 1915 of the Gallipoli landings which cost 115,000 British lives
• Extreme opponent of communism in which he supported a war in 1917 after the revolution

Question 5

Political career pre 1929?

Answer 5

• Joined the conservatives in 1900 as an MP
• Switched parties to the Liberals in 1904
• Joined the cabinet by 1908 as president of the Board of trade
• Home secretary 1910 to 1911
• First Lord of the Admiralty 1911 to 1915
• Secretary of state for Air 1919 to 1921
• Chancellor 1924 to 1929