The Abdication Crisis (Britain 1900-1951 Period Study 1918-51)

Who was King Edward VIII?

Huge amount of informal influence.
- Met on a regular basis with the PM.
- Offered ministers advice
Head of the commonwealth and empire
Emperor of India
Head of the Church of England-
- The church has a close relationship with the government
Edward VIII far more like his grandfather. Known for his party ******* attitude and string of mistresses. He liked married older women
Seen as figure head

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Married to a very successful business man. Already a divorcee. Probably only intended the relationship to an affair
The King became inflated with her. She was only interested because it gave her husband to gain social connections and business contacts
Asked her husband for a divorce, he reluctantly agreed
The King died, it became a political scandal by 1936 there was an intention of the King to marry her
Was widely reported in the foreign press but was not widespread knowledge in Britain

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King was political indiscreet making comments about the poor and unemployment
Marriage to her would weaken ties with the empire
Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury didn't like the queen being a twice divorced woman. Church opinion was important to the Conservatives
King was the supreme head of the Church and divorced people could not remarry in the church if their ex partner is still alive
Divorce is still frowned upon by society
King was personally popular, cheered warmly on visits to a fleet in London, South Wales – in clash with the cabinet public opinion would favour the king
Baldwin didn't really get on with the King
King had close relations with fascism and made positive comments about Hitler, this made him look out of step
"King's Friends" right ring Members of parliament who supported the King included the Churchill. Meaning he could ask them to replace the elected government. However this would be very radical and unusual
Lots thought he wouldn't marry her, because he had had a lot of relationships before
The King was determined to marry her
Cabinet advised King to tell Wallis not to get a divorce, indicated he was far more intent on private happiness then public duty, he was a self centred individual determined to get his way

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Lack of press coverage
Baldwin’s handlings meant the King departed without major upheaval
The affair maintained the moderate respectable consensus built up by the national government especially Churchill who was pushed into the political wilderness
Did mean people questioned the importance of the monarchy
Side lined those in conservatives who are pro monarchists and more likely to be anti appeasers like Churchill on the right wing of the party
House of Windsor became more intent on protecting their image

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