Churchill’s view of events 1929–1940 - Quizlet Flashcards
Why was Churchill out of office for so long?
-Problems with India
-Abdication of Edward VIII
-Rearmament
-Appeasement to Hitler
Context of British rule in India and Independence
India was part of the British Empire, and growing desire in the 1920s had led Indians to rally under Ghandi.
Britain responded with Repression and Reform.
Repression under Rowlatt Acts 1919 that increased police powers and the Amritsar Massacre 1919.
Reform came from the Montagu-Chelmsford measures that increased power of local councils and the eventual Government of India Act 1935.
What was Churchill’s views on India?
Churchill had outed dated views on race that alienated the more moderate conservatives, saying the Anglo Saxon race must keep the Indians in control.
He also took the view that India was the jewel of the crown of the empire that must be protected.
Churchill staunchly opposed any progress in Indian independence, dismissing the Round Table talks and Ghandi himself.
What was Churchill’s views on the abdication of Edward VIII?
Edward VIII wanted to marry Wallis Simpson, a twice divorced American.
This did not satisfy the Church of England and the Royals moral code, and public opinion was against the marriage.
Churchill took the opposing view, supporting the king and his relationship.
Being part of ‘The Kings Friends’ demonstrates his loyalty to the crown, and his speech in support of the King in the House of Common got booed at.
Rearmanent context
Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 and immediate action to rearm.
This opposed the Treaty of Versailles which stated only 100,000 men could serve in the German army.
What were Churchill’s view on Rearmament?
When German rearmament started, Churchill became alarmed and wrote and spoke about the dangers.
Saw the new regime in Germany as brutal.
Churchill used his position as a backbench MP and his journalism to utter warnings about the need to rearm.
This was unpopular due to Economic hardship and Churchills own calls for dis-arming European powers in 1920s
What was Churchill’s view of Appeasement?
Churchill’s concern about the growing power of Germany under a new determined leader led him to oppose the government’s policy of dealing with Hitler’s grievances by negotiation, calling on Chamberlain for action.
Chamberlain’s Appeasement
- The Locarno Pact 1925: Guarantees and assures Germany’s western borders as established by the TOV in 1919.
-The Anglo-German Naval Treaty 1935: British approval for Germans to build up Navy, only if it were 35 per cent of the British fleet.
-Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928:
-outlawed war as an instrument of national policy
-called upon signatories to settle their disputes by peaceful means
-Munich Agreement 1938: Allowed Germany to annex of the Sudetenland, in Czechoslovakia.
Churchill’s reaction to the Munich Pact
His view was that it was moral cowardice to give in to Hitlers aggression;
that a firm stand with both the League of Nations and a widespread alliance of other nations was necessary;
and that Britain had shown weakness which would encourage further German expansion.
Ultimately, if Britain needed to start a war to control Nazi dominance, it should.
Political Climate 1940
German forces invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and Chamberlain asked Churchill to become a member of an inner war cabinet, becoming First Lord of the Admiralty.
The failure of the Norway Campaign, the failure of Appeasement, his ill-health and Loss of support in commons meant Chamberlain felt pressured to step down.
How did Churchill become Prime Minister on 10 May 1940
-Lord Halifax, the favoured candidate of the 2, stepped down for the running for PM
-Britain needed a decisive leader
-Churchill had support from backbench MPs and Labour
-Churchill looking responsible for his apology for Norway Campaign
