What was Churchill's stance to war in 1940?

Question 1

What did Churchill do when he got into office?

Answer 1

He set up a war cabinet with people around him like Atlee, Eden, Halifax to help with the war decisions.

Question 2

What challenges was Churchill facing May 28th 1940?

Answer 2

• The British Army had been cut off from the French forces and had fallen back on the Dunkirk 300 thousand troops were stranded
• There was a danger of Italy entering the war which could threaten the Suez Canal and Egypt
• Japan was a possible threat to British colonies in Asia
• Gold reserves were running low which could hinder the financial ability to fight
• There were still calls from some people for peace negotiations

Question 3

What was Halifax arguing for during the cabinet meetings which frustrated Churchill?

Answer 3

Halifax wanted peace negotiations to avoid the devastation of war. He thought it would be better to consider peace terms before France fell to give more leverage.

Question 4

What was the situation by 4th June 1940?

Answer 4

• 224,000 soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk
• Allies had resisted to calls to give France more aircraft
• Belgium had surrendered by this point

Question 5

What happened on the 3rd July 1940 and was seen as a major act of defiance?

Answer 5

Churchill ordered an attack on the French fleet to ensure it didn’t fall into the French hands

Question 6

What bold decision did Churchill make in 1940 and why?

Answer 6

Churchill placed British troops in North Africa in which he would aim