Churchill war time Flashcards
What was Churchill’s stance in 1940?
- determined to win war
- avoided negotiating peace terms
What was churchill’s style of leadership?
- very involved -chair discussions and directed war effort
- took advice from Beaverbrook and Lindemann
- reported regularly to the House of Commons
- flamboyant - wore military uniforms
- dynamic - capture’s public needs
- ruthless - undermined leaders in whom he lost confidence
- brave - took little care for his personal safety during the bombing raids on London
What was Churchill like with 4 of his generals?
- Montgomery - CH liked for his confidence and success at El Alamein where he used 2x as many forces as Rommel
- Brooke - despite having different military tactics and political standing, they still agreed on major decisions e.g. sending military equipment to Suez Canal
- Wavell - CH disliked, took forces from him in Greece 1940 then blamed him for the failure
- Auchinleck - delayed attack on Ge as he was taking over from Wavell which angered CH and despite the success, still dismissed him as not daring enough
what was Churchill like overall with his generals?
overall supported and encouraged Brook and Montgomery but also had a bad-temper and poorly misjudged both Wavell and Auchinleck with his over-expectations
Why was the Mediterranean so important?
The Suez Canal linked Britain to India which was vital for oil supplies to maintain the BR economy
What was Churchill’s stance on the bombing of Germany?
Churchill initially supported area bombing to weaken German morale and military production but later had reservations about its moral implications, especially after the bombing of Dresden.
What was the main aim of the Allied bombing campaign in Germany?
The primary aim was to damage German industry, infrastructure, and morale, helping to weaken Germany’s capacity to continue the war.
How did Churchill’s view of the bombing campaign change after Dresden?
Churchill expressed moral concerns about the high civilian casualties and began to question the necessity of continued heavy bombing.
What was the Yalta Conference, and what was Churchill’s role?
The Yalta Conference in February 1945 involved Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin discussing post-war Europe, with Churchill advocating for democratic governance in liberated nations.
What was Churchill’s stance on Eastern Europe at Yalta?
Churchill was wary of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and sought guarantees for democratic elections, though he had limited success in pushing Stalin.
What were some key aspects of Churchill’s plans for post-war reconstruction?
Plans included social reforms, rebuilding the economy, and creating the welfare state, influenced by the Beveridge Report and aimed at addressing social inequality.
How did the Beveridge Report influence Churchill’s reconstruction plans?
The report advocated for tackling “five giants” of society: Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness, which inspired plans for welfare and healthcare reform.
Why did Churchill lose the 1945 election?
- War-Weariness: Voters sought change after years of hardship and war.
- Labour’s Appeal: Labour focused on social reform, promising welfare, housing, and healthcare, aligning with public desires for a welfare state.
- Conservative Image: Churchill’s focus on war leadership left him out of touch with post-war social needs
- Campaign Tone: Churchill’s harsh rhetoric against Labour, including warnings of a “Gestapo” under socialism, was off-putting to many voters.
What was the outcome of the 1945 general election for Churchill?
Churchill and the Conservative Party lost in a landslide to the Labour Party, led by Clement Attlee, who promised extensive social reforms.
How did WWII impact Churchill’s political image domestically?
While respected as a war leader, Churchill was seen as less suited for peace-time reforms, which contributed to his 1945 election loss.
