Churchill as a wartime Prime Minister
- Created by: eleanorhayward
- Created on: 10-03-17 14:43
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- Churchill as a wartime PM.
- In 1940, Churchill felt that he was destined to lead Britain. Had first-hand experience of war.
- By early May the French had large forces, the British were fighting on one front & Churchill had put together a cabinet of his own supporters.
- TNC was the first real initiative. The Norway Campaign = failure.
- It was obvious that the war effort wasn't being well co-ordinated.
- If France were defeated, Britain's army would be isolated.
- By May 1940, Churchill was facing many challenges.
- The British army had fallen back on Dunkirk, hoping to be evacuated. 300,000 troops. Chances of being evacuated = slim.
- Because of German air superiority, and possibility of an assault.
- Danger of Italian entry to the war, would threaten Egypt and the SC.
- Gold reserves were running out, wasn't clear whether Britain could afford to go fighting.
- 30's, issues have been going on for a long time = Devil's Decade.
- Japan = possible threat to British possessions in SA.
- The British army had fallen back on Dunkirk, hoping to be evacuated. 300,000 troops. Chances of being evacuated = slim.
- Lord Halifax
- Major supporter of appeasement and foreign secretary in 1940.
- Proposed for an approach to Mussolini & an appeal to the US, both were REJECTED.
- By 4th June over 220,000 troops were evacuated from Dunkirk.
- Churchill maintained a war with no allies against what was perceived to be one of the greatest military powers ever.
- July, 1940 - attack on the French fleet to prevent it falling into German hands.
- Better decision to make in the long term.
- July, 1940 - attack on the French fleet to prevent it falling into German hands.
- What was special about Churchill's leadership style during the war?
- He was a hard taskmaster => someone that is always pushing people.
- Daring and ruthlessness marked him out from his predecessors.
- Constantly restless and energetic.
- Officials who couldn't keep up or who displaced him were dismissed.
- Believed in establishing strong personal relations with his allies.
- He was a hard taskmaster => someone that is always pushing people.
- Churchill's relations with his Generals.
- Brooke
- Highly competent organizer and a thorough professional.
- Conscious of the need to deploy British forces carefully & avoid heavy casualties.
- Often annoyed by Churchill 'thinking aloud'.
- When it came to major decisions there were fewer disagreements between the two.
- Supported Churchill's decision to send troops to North Africa.
- Often annoyed by Churchill 'thinking aloud'.
- Conscious of the need to deploy British forces carefully & avoid heavy casualties.
- Highly competent organizer and a thorough professional.
- Wavell
- Churchill gave him little credit for NA. Personally disliked him.
- Wasn't given time to prepare properly for the Balkan front without him in command in Greece.
- His troops were taken off to a flawed campaign.
- Early successes in NA were thrown away.
- Didn't have the resources to meet German forces under Rommel who were sent to Africa.
- Took the blame and was demoted.
- Wasn't given time to prepare properly for the Balkan front without him in command in Greece.
- Churchill gave him little credit for NA. Personally disliked him.
- Auchinleck and Montgommery
- Auchinleck wasn't prepared for an attack on the Germans.
- Insisted on delaying until prepared.
- Sacked for his delays and not being daring and aggressive.
- Insisted on delaying until prepared.
- Montgomery won over Churchill by his self-confidence.
- Much of the credit for the first major British victory in the war should've gone to Auchinleck, but they didn't.
- Churchill favoured 'Monty'
- Much of the credit for the first major British victory in the war should've gone to Auchinleck, but they didn't.
- Auchinleck wasn't prepared for an attack on the Germans.
- Brooke
- The war in 1943-44.
- British commander Sir Harold Alexander merely showed persistence in maintaining a slow advance.
- Churchill admired him for his unruffled style of leadership.
- Churchill and his generals didn't clash about the overall strategy of the war.
- Invasion of France couldn't be delayed, Churchill planned it for the summer of 1944.
- Eisenhower put in charge.
- The planning under General Morgan was one of the most important achievements of the war.
- Churchill showed little appreciation for meticulous planning, only for 'bright ideas'.
- Compared to US forces, the British forces faced relatively limited resistance at D-Day on June 1944.
- The planning under General Morgan was one of the most important achievements of the war.
- From 1940-44, Churchill and his generals had occupied Germany.
- The war in NA was characterised by the PMs loss of confidence in his major commanders.
- Exerted a major influence on the joint strategy of British and American alliance.
- The war in NA was characterised by the PMs loss of confidence in his major commanders.
- British commander Sir Harold Alexander merely showed persistence in maintaining a slow advance.
- Churchill wanted to boost public morale done his way.
- Tampered with statistics to help himself.
- Hitler's invasion of C showed that Churchill was right about Germany all along.
- "We will choke on our own blood" Emphasises Churchill's extreme attitude and determination.
- By 1940, Churchill had established his position over his rivals and his oratory had become a weapon of war.
- Churchill's determination had prevented any negotiations with Germany. The nation had steeled itself for a long struggle.
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