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Detailed essay plans for the Domestic Politics topic of the Britain course

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OCR A Level History

These are extremely detailed essay plans with all possible information needed for the Domestic Politics chapter of the Britain course. I found these to be absolutely invaluable when it came to revising for and sitting my A level exam for History, for which I am predicted an A*.

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Uploaded on June 26, 2023
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Assess the reasons why Churchill displaced Chamberlain as PM in May 1940.

Chamberlain’s weaknesses
- Chamberlain’s reputation as PM from 1937 to 1940 was as a ‘man of peace’, clearly
demonstrated by his regretful tone in his declaration of war on Sept 3 rd 1939.
- His leadership during the phoney war has not been seen as dynamic or inspiring.
o Government put into place plans for putting Britain on a war footing.
o However, apart from sending an expeditionary force to France, commanded by Lord
Gort, there was little attempt to attack Germany, which got on with the swift and brutal
defeat and occupation of Poland with little distraction.
o Chamberlain’s cabinet was largely made up of supporters of the pre-war appeasement
policy, though he did bring in Churchill as First Lord of the Admiralty. → partly to use
Churchill’s wide experience of government and war, and partly to prevent him from
building up supporters in the party and country who might criticise Chamberlain.
- Chamberlain failed to organise the economy and military adequately for total war.
- Labour had refused to join a national coalition formed by Chamberlain in September 1939 but
had not ruled out serving under a different PM.
- Chamberlain was a strong leader and was not un-partisan, which was what Britain needed to
focus on the war and thrive under a state of total war.

The significance of the Norwegian campaign
- Norwegian waters in the North Sea were a vital route for Germany to obtain Swedish iron ore.
- Churchill pressed for action and proposed laying mines in Norwegian waters to prevent a
possible German invasion. Chamberlain agreed on the 28th March 1940 but on 1st March Hitler
approved a German invasion as a pre-emptive measure.
o Captured Oslo but lost 12 large ships in naval actions against the British.
- Though unpopular with many in the party (irresponsible, old-fashioned and unrealistic) his
loyalty to Chamberlain won Churchill respect.
- Over the 7th and 8th of May 1940 after the failure of the Norwegian campaign, Chamberlain
came under some unexpected attacks from his own side, especially Leo Amery, a former ally.
This unexpected amount of criticism by Conservative MPs allowed Labour to force a vote on
the war in Norway. This became a vote of confidence in Chamberlain.
- Amery quoted Oliver Cromwell’s words to the Rump Parliament in 1653: ‘You have sat too long
for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you, In the name of
God, go!”
- The vote of conduct of the war in Norway was 281 to 200 for the government, instead of its
usual 200-strong majority. Over 40 conservatives rebelled and another 40 abstained from the
vote.
Impact of the vote:
- Exposed hostility towards him
- Those who were against Chamberlain didn’t want Churchill
- Most favoured foreign secretary and friend of George VI, Lord Halifax. However, was a peer so would
have to renounce his title to serve as PM.

,Churchill
- Achieved political unity in May 1940 in that all parties including labour, agreed to serve in a
national coalition under him.
- Churchill had the advantage that he seemed to have been proved right about the threat of
Hitler and in his opposition to appeasement. Had a reputation as a strong and inspiring leader.
Had a direct experience of government in wartime and as a soldier; even if his plans in Norway
had failed, he had shown himself to be a determined war minister.
- His determination showed a clear difference to Chamberlain’s approach.
- Perhaps most significant was the lack of a well-known political leader who was not associated
with the failed policy of appeasement who could gain the confidence of Labour as well as the
conservatives.
- Churchill’s journalism and larger than life personality made him a well-known public figure
- When Halifax would not accept PM, Churchill seemed like the only alternative.
On the 10th May the news came that Germany had invaded Holland and Belgium. Chamberlain
wanted to stay on but the war cabinet was not in favour which made his position rather untenable.
- The same day the King unexpected appointed Churchill to PM.
His appointment was followed by a major crisis as Hitler invades the Netherlands an France, sweeping
away opposition with fierce attacks by tanks and motorised units. While British forces were driven
back and forced to evacuate at Dunkirk, there was no time for further changes in government and
Churchill’s famous, ‘we will fight them on the beaches’ speech helped to cement his position.
His self-confident insistence on ‘victory at all costs’ meant that his leadership was associated both in
the country and worldwide with heroic resistance and determination.

, How far was Churchill to blame for the Conservative defeat in the 1945
election?

Churchill’s weaknesses

• Churchill’s self-confident insistence on “victory at all costs” meant that his leadership was
associated both in the country and worldwide with heroic resistance and determination. If
he had lost office, then the message would have been sent that Britain had abandoned that
policy. Thus, not until victory had been achieved in 1945 did Churchill lose office.
• Stressed the dangers of ‘socialism’ against the freedom he offered. However, it was clear
that the moderate Labour ministers of the coalition had not been rabid socialists.
• It was insulting to equate Labour with the Nazi secret police and Churchill’s unwise
broadcasts and speeches remined voters of some of his pre-war political extremism in
opposing the general strike and Indian self-government.
• Churchill was the tory ace, he did a good job in the war, but doubted to be a good
peacetime PM, some failed to realise he was even a tory as he was their critic in 1930’s.
He was also old (70) and suffered a heart attack during the war & pneumonia. He didn’t
have the stamina anymore. He was out of touch & arrogant.
• Failed to implement or work on the Beveridge report as seen as too expensive reforms
after finishing ww2. Made no binding commitment to it. Failed to look after domestic polices
in the war, this was left to Labour.

Poor Conservative campaign

• Churchill led a negative campaign, warning against state interference that would follow a
labour victory, suggested labour policy would require a Gestapo to enforce, stressing
the dangers of socialism against freedom he offered. Public found it insulting to compare
labour to Nazi secret police. They knew the ministers weren’t rabid socialists.
• Churchill’s broadcasts reminded voters of pre-war political extremism in opposing the
general strike & India self-government.
• Campaign was built around Churchill; stressed Churchill, emphasised labours faults and
weaknesses & stressed policies if elected. Had empty slogans ‘trust the government’ with
roots going back to conservatism.
• “Let’s win the war first” put the war with Japan over domestic policy. Only £3000 spent
on campaign – more Tory on home front than campaigning in constituencies.

Labour leadership and experience during the war cabinet

• Voters loath to elect MPs without record of proven political ability. Labour MPs were called
into war coalition & able to gain valuable ministry experience & emerged with enhanced
reputations.
• Atlee was deputy PM maintaining efficiency of coalition. Labour had great influence on
home affairs & reconstruction planning for their future. Bevin was minister of labour & well
established with TUC, had Bevins boys & called on young men to go down the mines
(Bevin’s boys), Herbert Morrison for air shelters for people’s homes.
• Atlee was a balancer & could balance his cabinet with big egos.

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