Churchills View Of Events 1928-1939

Question 1

Why was Churchill out of office 39-39

Answer 1

Conservatives lost office when Macdonald formed his national government and Churchill was not invited to be part of it
It took until the start of the war in 39 until he was back in office

Question 2

What was Churchill’s previous reputation

Answer 2

Churchill was not liked by labour or liberals so would have been hard to to have a coalition with
Labour remembered his attacks on trade unions during the general strike of 1926
-responsibility for failed Gallipoli attacks in 1915 made him unpopular
-was blamed for high unemployment as gold standard increase export prices
-strong line against making concessions to Indian self government
-aligned himself with extreme right wing. Was seemed out of touch

Question 3

What was Churchill’s stance in mid 1930s

Answer 3

Not invited back to government. This was centred around him speaking out on the danger posed by Germany and his belief that Britain should rearm
He seemed to willing to risk conflict and there was a risk of war when the public opinion was opposed to conflict
Churchill criticism of British defence cuts in 1920 which laid the basis for Britain’s military weakness
Urge to rearm seemed to ignore economic realities of 1930