Why Did Churchill Become Prime Minister 1940 Flashcards
When was the Norway campaign and what was it ?
Spring 1940
- Campaign: WSC pressed for action in Norway its important North Sea waters route way for German Iron. Proposed laying mines to prevent this. Agreed with Chamberlain 28 March 1940
- 1 March Hitler approved invasion( for April) preempting this.
- Germany invaded Denmark and Norway capturing Oslo loosing 12 ships to Britian
- British forces landed at Namsos and Andalsnes but were forced to withdraw early May achieving little and finally fell to Germans on 28 May
- Hitler controlled Denmark and Norway
Why was the parliamentary debate following in the 7th and 8th of May as important ?
- first campaign since 1939 and it failed
- not focused in Norway whole record of government since war began, made it clear war effort was ill coordinated
- ineffective minister for coordination of defence; military coordination committee had not proved effective economic planning had not been synchronised or effective ( APART FROM CHURCHILL GOV LACKED MINISTERS WITH WAR EXPERIENCE)
- Sir Roger Keyes made power intervention in admiral uniform and chamberlain came under attack
- Leo Amery quoted from wells words Rump Parliament in 1653
- vote of no confidence in chamberlain forced by labour
What was the impact of the debates on the 7th and 8th of May on chamberlain ?
- loss of support for Chamberlain vote revealed post Norway 281 to 200 instead of of its usual 200 strong majority
- 40 conservatives voted against government and 40 others absainted
- vote exposed hostility towards Chamberlain and by May 1940 he was unwell and feeling for a new leader was shared
- only a minority of Conservatives looked to Churchill for PM
Who was Lord Halifax and why did he reject the role of PM ?
- majority of conservatives wanted Halifax as PM
- former foreign secretary and friend of George VI
- peer and sat in the House of Lords meaning he couldn’t lead the country without renouncing his title
- reluctant to take role seeing himself as unfit
- couldn’t step uk and there were no tie he figures of sufficient confidence or stature making Churchill the only viable option
What other surprising support did Churchill receive at this point
- backing from a group within his own party and support from Labours leader Clement Attlee despite personal animosity within political world
- Labour would not have continued under a chamberlain
- wasn’t a popular figure amongst Labour but seen as a figure who could bring determination to the war
when Germany invaded Holland and Belgium May 10 it clear war cabinet not fond of Chamberlain? Explain further
- substantial show of no confidence amongst backbench conservatives
- Labour wouldn’t serve under Chamberlain
- Halifax wouldn’t take office
- obvious need for a leader who was decisive
What was the overriding view of WSC when he was appointed by the king ?
Appointed 10 Mag 1940
- despite king personal dislike
- 1938 Munich showed confidence for Chambelrain but the invasion of Czechoslovakia on the 1st October shifted public opinion
