Why did Churchill become Prime Minister in 1940? Flashcards
What job was Churchill given by Chamberlain in Sep 1939?
First Lord of the Admiralty
What disaster happened when Churchill had previously held this position?
Gallipoli - 1915
What did some refer to the period between Sep 1939 and Apr/May 1940?
‘Sitzkrieg”; ‘Bore War’; ‘Phoney War’
What happened in Apr 1940?
Operation Weserubung - G. invasion of Denmark and Norway
What were Br. troops forced to do in Norway by early May 1940?
Withdraw
What were polls showing in Apr and May 1940?
Apr - 57% thought Chamberlain was doing a good job as PM
May - 60% against him
What did Churchill accuse Halifax of, and when and what did he later do?
6 May - ‘Treason’; He later apologised and blamed his rudeness on the ‘present atmosphere of frustration’
Since Sep 1939, how much had Churchill’s consumption of wine cost him?
£30/month
When was the Norway debate held?
7-8 May 1940
Who spoke in the Norway debate?
Chamberlain, Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, Leo Amery, David Lloyd George, Churchill
What was Leo Amery’s famous line?
“In the name of God, go”
What did David Lloyd George ask Chamberlain to do?
“Sacrifice the seals of office”
What did the gov.’s majority fall to?
81
Who was David Margesson?
Chief Whip
Who was most likely candidate to replace Chamberlain?
Lord Halifax
- King wanted him, noting in his diary ‘H was the obvious man’
- Front page of Daily Mirror on 9 May read: ‘Lord Halifax…is almost certain to become the new Prime Minister.’
- Chamberlain had written a letter to his sister in March 1940 that he would ‘rather have Halifax succeed me than Winston’.