Churchill's Wilderness Years: Abdication Crisis Flashcards
What year was the abdication Crisis?
1936
Which King abdicated in 1936?
King Edward VIII
Who was King Edward VIII determined to marry?
Wallis Simpson
Why was Edward VIII marrying Wallis Simpson a problematic decision in the eyes of the government?
- Simpson was an American divorcee.
- Edward VIII was head of the Church of England which does not support divorce.
What is a Morganatic marriage?
A marriage where the partner marrying into nobility does not inherit any titles or land.
Why did King Edward VIII abdicate?
His proposition of a morganatic marriage to Wallis Simpson had no parliamentary backing
What was Churchill’s view on the abdication Crisis in 1936?
In support of Morganatic marriage.
How did Churchill’s view of the abdication crisis contribute to his ‘Wilderness Years’?
He was put into direct conflict with the Conservative Party and Baldwin.
- Baldwin humiliated Churchill by shouting him down in Parliament following a speech supporting morganatic marriage.
Why did the government actively push for Edward VIII’s abdication
His active investment in political matters.
Why was Edward VIII loved by the working class?
Socialist ideas - cared for the welfare of the working class.
Visited Merthyr Tydfil: ‘something must be done’ -62% unemployment due to Conservative Laissez-Faire.
- Created false promises that the government struggled to live up to.
