Winston Churchill as a Wartime Prime Minister

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  • Created by: 15emmmor
  • Created on: 23-04-21 17:18
Why was Churchill out of office for so long?
(1929-39)
1) He was in conflict with the bulk of his party and its leaders.
2) He took up a series of unpopular causes and spoke about them in an increasingly reckless way.
3) He became a more isolated political figure.
1 of 19
What were the main issues by 1939?
The issues were mostly economic.
2 of 19
What was the Gallipoli campaign?
The Gallipoli campaign was the land-based element of a strategy intended to allow Allied ships to pass through the Dardanelles, capture Constantinople (now Istanbul) and ultimately knock Ottoman Turkey out of the war.
3 of 19
What were the four things Churchill
thought about differently from
mainstream Conservative thinking?
India

The abdication of Kind Edward VIII

Rearmament

Concessions to Hitler
4 of 19
What were Churchill's views on India?
- That British rule alone prevented the domination of the Hindu elites over the large numbers of Indian Muslims.
- British rule had ensured the end of what he saw as barbaric practices and meant economic and social progress.
- Thought that it had ensured
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What did the Rowlatt Acts of 1919 do?
It increased police powers by allowing imprisonment without trial
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How did Ghandi react to the Rowlatt Act?
He led a mass campaign against the Rowlatt Act and troops fired on a protesting crowd at Amritsar.
- Killed 400 and wounded 1200.
Gave Indian Nationalism hug numbers of new supporters.
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What was Churchill's reaction to the independence movement?
He was bitterly opposed to the movement for greater independence for India.
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What was Churchill's view on the abdication of Kind Edward the VIII?
Churchill supported Edwards
choice of abdication out of
loyalty for the throne.
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What were Churchill's views on rearmament?
He opposed to it greatly in the chance that Germany became too powerful.
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Why did Churchill object to
German rearmament?
- He feared a repeat of the situation prior to 1914 when Germany had been a threat to the peace of Europe.
- Churchill had been in government when they had done the 'Treaty of Versailles' (which Hitler now wanted to break).
- Didn't want Hitler building u
11 of 19
Why did critics oppose Churchill's
worries about German rearmament?
- They pointed out that he himself had been deeply responsible for disarming in the 1920s.
- The financial crisis had necessitated deep cuts in Gov. expenditure.
- Churchill's tendency to exaggerate the figures and to speak in alarmist terms reduced his c
12 of 19
What were Churchill's views on appeasement?
His concern about Germany's growing power under a new leader led him to oppose the government's policy of trying to deal with Hitler's grievances by negotiation.
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What was Chamberlain's view on appeasement?
He wanted to negotiate with Germany about their grievances. Believed coming to a negotiated agreement would reduce the danger of Britain drawn into war.
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Why did Churchill become
Prime Minister in 1940?
- By 1940, Chamberlain was unwell.
- Labour didn't want to carry on
serving under him.
- Halifax would not step up.
- The King appointed Churchill Prime Minister.
15 of 19
What was Churchill's stance towards the war in 1940?
He believed he was destined to lead Britain. Churchill had confidence in the ability of Britain and its considerable empire to wage war successfully.
16 of 19
How many troops were cut off in Dunkirk
and why was this a problem?
300,000 British troops were cut off from the French Forces.
This was a problem because the chances of rescuing them seemed low due to the German's air superiority and the possibility of a German assault.
17 of 19
Why was the Suez Canal important?
It would cut off Britain's quickest sea route to India, and its colonies in the Far East and make them more difficult to defend against Japan.
18 of 19
What was the problem with
British gold reserves?
They were running out and it was not clear whether Britain could go on fighting.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What were the main issues by 1939?

Back

The issues were mostly economic.

Card 3

Front

What was the Gallipoli campaign?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were the four things Churchill
thought about differently from
mainstream Conservative thinking?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What were Churchill's views on India?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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