section 5 chapter 17

Question 1

Who led the coalition government from May 1940 to 1945?

Answer 1

Winston Churchill

Question 2

What was significant about Churchill’s coalition government?

Answer 2

It united leaders from all political parties.

Question 3

What made the 1945 Labour victory under Clement Attlee surprising?

Answer 3

The coalition’s success in managing military strategy and domestic affairs during WWII

Question 4

What criticisms did Chamberlain face when war broke out in 1939?

Answer 4

Criticism for his policy of appeasement, failure to secure an alliance with Soviet Russia, and underestimating Hitler’s aggressive intentions.

Question 5

What did Chamberlain boast about in May 1940, and what happened shortly after?

Answer 5

He boasted that Hitler had “missed the bus” due to no immediate attack, but days later, Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway, damaging his leadership.

Question 6

Why was Chamberlain criticized regarding Britain’s war preparedness?

Answer 6

He was criticized for failing to prepare the economy and military with enough urgency.

Question 7

What event led to Chamberlain’s resignation?

Answer 7

After facing sharp criticism during a debate on the failed Norwegian campaign, Labour and former PM (DLG) demanded his resignation, and he stepped down shortly after.

Question 8

What severe crises did Churchill inherit when he became Prime Minister in May 1940?

Answer 8

German forces were in northern France, and British troops were trapped at Dunkirk.

Question 9

What did some Conservatives advocate during Churchill’s leadership?

Answer 9

with France falling and no help from USA, Some Conservatives advocated negotiating with Hitler.

Question 10

What criticisms did Churchill face during his leadership?

Answer 10

He was criticized for being impulsive, dictatorial, and neglecting domestic issues like economics and agriculture.

Question 11

who did Churchill rely on to manage domestic issues and organisation during WWII?

Answer 11

His deputy, Clement Attlee, an effective organiser.

Question 13

Who led the coalition government from May 1940 to 1945?

Answer 13

Winston Churchill.

Question 14

What was significant about Churchill’s coalition government?

Answer 14

It united leaders from all political parties.

Question 15

What made the 1945 Labour victory under Clement Attlee surprising?

Answer 15

The coalition’s success in managing military strategy and domestic affairs during WWII.

Question 16

What criticisms did Chamberlain face when war broke out in 1939?

Answer 16

criticism for his policy of appeasement, failure to secure an alliance with Soviet Russia, and underestimating Hitler’s aggressive intentions.

Question 17

What did Chamberlain boast about in May 1940, and what happened shortly after?

Answer 17

He boasted that Hitler had “missed the bus” due to no immediate attack, but days later, Hitler invaded Denmark and Norway, damaging his leadership.

Question 18

Why was Chamberlain criticized regarding Britain’s war preparedness?

Answer 18

He was criticized for failing to prepare the economy and military with enough urgency.

Question 19

What event led to Chamberlain’s resignation?

Answer 19

After facing sharp criticism during a debate on the failed Norwegian campaign, Labour and former PM (DLG) demanded his resignation, and he stepped down shortly after.

Question 20

What severe crises did Churchill inherit when he became Prime Minister in May 1940?

Answer 20

German forces were in northern France, and British troops were trapped at Dunkirk.

Question 21

What did some Conservatives advocate during Churchill’s leadership?

Answer 21

with France falling and no help from America, Some Conservatives advocated negotiating with Hitler.

Question 22

What criticisms did Churchill face during his leadership?

Answer 22

He was criticized for being impulsive, dictatorial, and neglecting domestic issues like economics and agriculture.

Question 23

Who did Churchill rely on to manage domestic issues and organisation during WWII?

Answer 23

His deputy, Clement Attlee, an effective organiser.

Question 24

Why did Labour refuse to continue the wartime coalition with Churchill after WWII?

Answer 24

Labour refused because there had been no general election for 10 years.

Question 25

When did the Churchill wartime coalition end, and what government did Churchill lead after?

Answer 25

The coalition ended on May 23rd, and Churchill led a “caretaker government” until the general election in July.

Question 26

What were the results of the 1945 general election?

Answer 26

Labour won 393 seats, while the Conservatives won only 213.

Question 27

Why did many voters blame the Conservatives in the 1945 election?

Answer 27

Voters blamed the Conservatives for the failings of the 1930s, such as unemployment and social deprivation.

Question 28

How did Labour use electoral propaganda in the 1945 election?

Answer 28

Labour’s propaganda highlighted the negative memories of the 1930s and emphasized the need to prevent such issues from happening again.

Question 29

What trend was observed in the electorate during the 1940s?

Answer 29

There was a steady leftward trend, influenced by the expansion of the trade union movement during the war.

Question 30

How did the war influence public opinion on state intervention and planning?

Answer 30

The war increased a sense of shared experience, making state intervention and planning seem like a good idea.

Question 31

What proposals became popular during the 1940s?

Answer 31

The plans in the Beveridge Report and proposals for the welfare state became very popular.

Question 32

Why were many Conservatives complacent about the 1945 election?

Answer 32

They believed the electorate would thank Churchill for his effective wartime leadership and re-elect him.

Question 33

How was Labour’s manifesto different from Churchill’s election message?

Answer 33

Labour’s manifesto, “Let Us Face the Future,” was seen as more inspiring than Churchill’s “Mr. Churchill’s Declaration to the Voters.”

Question 34

What key promises did Labour make in the 1945 election?

Answer 34

Labour promised a system of social security, nationalisation of key industries, and the creation of the NHS.

Question 35

Why was Churchill seen as unsuitable for peacetime leadership?

Answer 35

Churchill was associated with war and was not seen as the right man for post-war reconstruction.

Question 36

How did Churchill’s “Gestapo speech” affect his election campaign?

Answer 36

The speech, suggesting Labour would need a secret political police to enforce control, angered Labour and insulted their democratic ideals, potentially costing him votes.

Question 37

How did Clement Attlee gain valuable experience despite living in Churchill’s shadow?

Answer 37

Attlee played a key role in the wartime coalition and gained valuable experience.

Question 38

What were some of Attlee’s key qualities during his leadership?

Answer 38

He was an effective chairman and efficient at handling paperwork.

Question 39

What major achievements did Attlee oversee as Prime Minister?

Answer 39

Nationalisation, the establishment of the welfare state, and the handling of Indian independence.

Question 40

What were the key aims of the new Labour government?

Answer 40

Nationalisation, universal state welfare provision, and the establishment of the NHS.

Question 41

How did Labour view nationalisation?

Answer 41

Nationalisation would allow the state to control essential industries, plan the economy, and ensure full employment.

Question 42

What type of economy did Labour commit to?

Answer 42

A “mixed economy,” where state-run and privately-run businesses would coexist. v