Churchill Unit 3 Flashcards
Examples of Churchill’s role
Moral leader: Churchill’s speeches inspired resilience and moral fortitude in Britain.
Champion of Civilization: Churchill’s resistance to Nazi Germany and his advocacy for democratic principles symbolized a defense of Western civilization against fascism.
Major Influence on War Policy and Imperial Powers: played a decisive role in strategic bombing campaign against Germany. Major influence at conferences
What was the Grand Alliance?
The Grand Alliance was the wartime coalition of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain formed to defeat the Axis powers during World War II.
What was the Lend-Lease (1941) Act?
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to provide military aid, supplies, and equipment to allied nations, such as Britain, on the basis that it was vital to U.S. defense.
What was the Atlantic Charter (1941)?
A joint declaration by Churchill and Roosevelt outlining shared goals for the post-war world, including self-determination, free trade, and disarmament.
Conflict between Britain and the USA over Mediterranean strategy:
The USA prioritized a direct invasion of France, while Churchill advocated for a Mediterranean strategy, focusing on Italy and North Africa, to secure British imperial interests. Eg oil trade routes
Issues between Churchill and Roosevelt at Tehran (1943):
Roosevelt favored closer relations with Stalin and was less supportive of Churchill’s Mediterranean strategy. He also downplayed British imperial ambitions in post-war planning.
Stalin’s complaints during Churchill’s visit to Moscow in 1942:
Stalin criticized the Allies for delaying the opening of a second front in Western Europe
What was the Percentages Agreement (1944)?
A secret informal agreement between Churchill and Stalin dividing Eastern European countries into spheres of influence (e.g., 90% Soviet influence in Romania, 90% British in Greece).
What was Vichy France?
Vichy France was the French government that collaborated with Nazi Germany from 1940 to 1944, based in the city of Vichy.
De Gaulle’s personality and clashes with Churchill:
De Gaulle was proud and stubborn, insisting on representing Free France, often clashing with Churchill over his refusal to compromise with the Allies and his disdain for Vichy France.
Churchill didn’t believe he was a proper leader of France
Key agreements at conferences:
Tehran Conference (1943):
Plans for D-Day
Agreement on post-war division of Germany.
Stalin’s demand for Eastern Europe as a Soviet sphere of influence.
Yalta Conference (1945):
Division of Germany into occupation zones.
Free elections in Eastern Europe.
USSR agreed to join the war against Japan.
Potsdam Conference (1945):
Finalisation of German occupation.
Agreements on reparations.
Rising tensions between the West and the USSR.
Sphere of Influence – Example (USSR):
A sphere of influence refers to a region dominated politically and economically by a stronger power. Example: The USSR’s control over Eastern Europe after WWII.
Little Englander – Example linked to Churchill:
“Little Englander” refers to someone opposed to imperialism or foreign intervention. Churchill was the opposite, advocating for maintaining Britain’s empire.
Churchill’s Zurich Speech (1946):
Churchill called for European unity, proposing a “United States of Europe” to prevent future wars.
Churchill’s 3 main aims for post-war Europe and Empire:
- Preserve the British Empire.
- Establish a balance of power in Europe.
- Contain the spread of communism.
