This documents covers the entire unit of the British paper for OCR History. From the Churchill section (Churchill's point of view, Churchill as a war time leader and Churchill and international diplomacy) to the British essay question (Conservative Dominance 1951-64, Labour and Conservative Governm...
CHURCHILL’S POINT OF VIEW
Why was Churchill out of office for so long
What happened Churchill’s view Outcome
Indian - pressures to give India - he bitterly opposed - the racist and
Independenc independence grew e.g. and believed in the outdated views pushed
e the work of Gandhi white man’s burden him out of the
- this was made worse - e.g. Leo Amery MP: mainstream of politics
by violent British ‘Churchill could stir up
reactions e.g. Amritsar a hornet’s nest where
- the Government of there are no hornets’
India Act 1937 began
the transfer of power
Abdication - Edward VIII wanted to - he was for the - this made him look
crisis marry American marriage and wanted like a sycophant and
Divorcee Wallis Simpson to allow it someone who wanted
- Parliament stated that - he was part of the to suck up to those in
the nation would not ‘the king’s friends’ and power
accept her as Queen wanted to allow him to - it made him a
and in order to marry he keep the crown while minority in
would need to abdicate marrying government and again,
removed him from
mainstream politics
German - despite the Treaty of - he saw the Nazi - this made him appear
rearmament Versailles, Britain regime as brutal and a war monger and
allowed Germany to feared a repeat of someone who incited
rearm 1914, but was worried conflict
- many also had faith in about Britain’s - it made him a
the League or Nations strength minority in
and international - he opposed government as most
agreements rearmament and were pro-
- people wanted to wanted harsher appeasement
avoid another war at all restrictions on - he also appeared
costs Germany stuck in 1914
Crossing the - Churchill crossed - this meant that he
floor parliament floor to join appeared
the Liberals untrustworthy and
- he had to ask to rejoin someone who would
the Conservatives 3 leave behind his party
times before he was and beliefs for his own
allowed benefit
- it was also
embarrassing to have
, to beg to rejoin the
Conservatives
War with - Churchill wanted war - this made him appear
Russia with Russia to crush the a war monger
regime he thought - he appeared like he
would take over Europe made rash decisions
without
understanding, as it
was clear that Britain
could not win against
the USSR
Gold standard - this was an economic - Churchill supported - it failed and Churchill
measure that aimed to this idea and appeared incompetent
help boost the economy promoted it
Gallipoli - a battle in WW1 which - Churchill was - it made him appear
ended in many deaths involved in the military incompetent in
and was seen as a decisions military decisions
failure
Appeasement
- Chamberlain supported allowing Germany to break the Treaty of Versailles,
stating that Germany had genuine grievances
- It was a very popular at the time:
1. The 1936 peace ballot showed the majority of people supported it
2. Chamberlain’s white paper was greeted with massive praise
3. The Fullam-East by election showed the publics support and that
people would vote accordingly
However, after the Sudetenland crisis attitudes changed
Munich agreement
- September 1938: four power conference came to discuss the Sudetenland
after Hitler invaded
- He was granted it but told not to invade Poland
This was met with massive praise
Churchill’s view
- By now he had gained more popularity and his views on rearmament were
more understood
- Churchill was against the agreement and believed WW2 was needed and
inevitable
,Why would war in 1938 been a disaster
Britain would not have had any allies during the war and would have been
weaker:
1. Russia was not yet cooperative and America was following
isolationism
2. Due to policies like the 10 year rule, British resources were not
ready for a war and many were tied up in peace keeping activities
3. Other imperial territories were vulnerable e.g. both Japan and Italy
wanted territories in the Middle East
4. Many countries were still recovering from world war one e.g. France
Opinions after Munich
The mood after Munich had changed from one where war could be avoided to
Churchill’s view becoming more and more understandable and realistic
Because of this, once war was declared, Churchill was part of the inner war
cabinet
Why did Churchill become PM
- He was no longer an outsider or eccentric politician:
1. Chamberlains position: due to the failure of the Norway campaign, the war
appeared disorganised and unplanned, therefore Chamberlain took the blame
and was not considered acceptable to Labour (who were part of the national
government)
2. Lord Halifax: he was the first choice but did not want to give up his title to
become prime minister, leaving Churchill
3. Churchill’s experience: he had military experience under the first war cabinet
and had the support of Labour, he also had been very pro-war and anti-
Germany
- Became Prime minister in May 1940
CHURCHILL AS WAR TIME LEADER
War in 1940
Positives in the position Negatives in the position
- Churchill made bold decisions - Germany had broken French
e.g. destroying the French fleet defences
and sending troops to Egypt - The gold reserves were running
- German bombing had began out
- There had been victories in North - Japan threated possessions in
Africa Asia
- German air force had been - There was a danger of Italian
, defeated on the offensive entry into the war
- Evacuation at Dunkirk had been - Lord Halifax had made secret
successful inquires into peace talks
- Those who had favoured peace
talks e.g. Lord Halifax, had been
silenced
Churchill’s leadership style
Positives Negatives
- He included opposition in the - He appeared interfering and
National government e.g. particular e.g. the upmost fish
Clement Atlee debacle
- He reduced complications and - He dismissed experts e.g. Sir
delays by making himself head of Hough Dowding and Captain
MoD Tarbot
- He introduced Beaver Brooke - He lied to the public e.g. stated
into manufacturing meaning that that ½ of German U-boats had
it increased by 50% been destroyed whereas only
9/56 had
Relationship with generals
Brooke
- He was highly competent and professional
- There was little disagreement on big decisions e.g. sending troops to the
Middle East
Brooke focuses on the careful deployment of troops, which Churchill found
annoying
Wavell
He was personally disliked by Churchill and got little credit
Not given enough time to prepare e.g. the Greece campaign failed
He was not given enough resources and was demoted
Auichenleck
He was not prepared for German attacks
He constantly delayed attacks which irritated Churchill and led to him being
sacked
Montgomery
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