Political Developments 1939-51 Flashcards
Why was chamberlain facing criticism at the outbreak of WW2?
- Policy of appeasement
- Failed to procure alliance with Soviets to deter Hitler
- underestimated Hitler’s aggressive intentions
- didn’t organise war economy with enough urgency
- failed to win lab support to form a new national government
How did the phoney war undermine Chamberlain?
With no immediate attack he boasted that ‘Hitler had missed the bus’ - few days later Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway - undermined leadership
What defeat further undermined Chamberlains leadership?
Defeat in Norway 1940
When did Chamberlain resign?
May 1940
Strengths of Churchill as a PM?
- Strongly emotive speeches
- Favoured fighting over compromise
- Self confidence convinced cabinet and population that it was better to go on fighting
- inspiring leadership
- Streamlined process of government
- Ruthless
Weaknesses as Churchill as PM
- Impulsive
- Dictatorial
- Constantly interfered with government depts
- Thought he knew more on strategy and tactics that generals
- Poor committee chairman
- Ruthless
What did the new government that Churchill was forming need?
National Unity
What made it easier for Churchill to act as PM
The fact that Chamberlain was still head of the Conservative party - it was now easier for Churchill to act above party politics and bring all major parties into the coalition
Name some key individuals involved in Churchills coalition
- Attlee (lab)
- Greenwood (lab)
- Chamberlain (cons)
- Halifax (cons)
In Churchill coalition how many Liberals and Conservatives were there at the different levels of government?
- 2 Liberal ministers
- 14 Labour politicians
Apart from politicians from other parties, who else did Churchill bring into his coalition?
- Experts from different fields
- For example Herbert Morrison, Lord Woolton, William Beveridge
