Britain1930 - 1997
Churchill’s view of events, 1929-40
Timeline -
1929 May - labour, largest party, Churchill opposition
1930 November - first three round table conferences on India, Churchill
opposes concessions.
1931 August - national government formed, Churchill not included
1933 January - Hitler comes to power
1935 March - Germany introduces conscription
June - Baldwin becomes prime minister
August - Gov of India act
1936 March - Germany remilitarizes Rhineland
Abdication crisis
1937 May - chamberlain becomes PM
1938 March - Germany annexes Austria
September - crisis over Czechoslovakia
Munich agreement
October - Munich debate in the house of commons
1939 March - Germany invades Bohemia and Moravia
September - Britain declares war on Germany, Churchill reenters
gov as the first lord of the admiralty
1940 April - Norway campaign
May - Germany invades low countries
Churchill becomes PM
Why was Churchill out office for so long, 1929-39?
, ● The 1930s threatening period
● Germany emerged as a threat to European peace
● Japan intent on creating a new empire in the far east, was threatening china
● Italy ruled by an expansionist dictator
● A civil war in Spain
● The Communist regime in Russia was imprisoning and killing a large number
of its people.
● Europe and USA suffering worst economic depression in history
● Type of dangerous situation, Churchill expected to thrive, however not the
case
● Did not hold office until 1939, he conflicted with the bulk of his party and its
leaders - He tended to take up unpopular causes and spoke about them
recklessly.
● More isolated figure in British politics relied on loyal advisors, they were seen
as outsiders and eccentrics.
● Age of radio and cinema, politicians no longer addressing great public
meetings, the new major way of communicating with voters
● Churchills style seems old-fashioned and out of touch
● By mid-1930, though mentally + physically vigorous, was in his 60s, seemed
to be part of a long-gone imperial age.
● 1931, key issues were economic
● Foreign investors and markets needed a calm confident and united Gov.
● However, even within the conservative party, many saw Churchill unhelpful,
Churchill, seen as a renegade.
● Many remembered his pre-war speeches attacking conservative views on the
house of lords and Ireland
● During WW1 his Gallipoli campaign condemned as reckless
○ - Achieved almost nothing at great cost.
● Economists of 1930s argued Churchill made the wrong decision in returning
GB to the gold standard when he was chancellor of the exchequer in 1925
○ - Britain had to leave it in Sept 1931
● Conservatives joined labour leader MacDonald and some liberals in 1931 to
form a national Gov to deal with perceived national financial + economic
crisis, no room for Churchill.
● Wall Street crash affected him personally, wiping out his investments and
savings, compelled him to write for a living.
Several issues set him aside from mainstream conservative thinking:
● India - Churchill believed in an uncompromising opposition
● The abdication of King Edward VIII - supported by Churchill out of loyalty
to the throne.
