o Major figure in both Liberal and Conservative governments since 1905
o Then left office
o During 30’s he was associated with many unpopular things becoming isolated
these were…
o His Old fashion qualities
• Made old style speeches
• Seemed to part of old fashioned imperialism
o His views on India
• ‘jewel in the crown’ needing British protection
• British rule prevented Hindu elites dominating Indian Muslims
• Britain had created a government free from corruption and protecting the week,
and eliminating ‘barbaric practices’ replaced by economic and social progress
• Anglo-Saxons were a superior race, and had a destiny to rule
• This point of view was ridiculed by conservatives
❖ Churchill then threatens to shatter the conservative parties if they continue
supporting Indian Independence
❖ He was then kept out of the cabinet and hated by many in the party
o Supporting king Edwards VII Abdication
• King Edward was disliked by many
❖ married a twice divorced American; WALLIS SIMPSON (meaning he was
forced to abdicate as he was meant to be supporting the church of England,
which opposed divorces)
➢ DEC 1936, Edward broadcasted abdication speech as Morganatic
marriage (where Wallis would become a consort and not queen) was
denied as it required approval from self-governing dominions and
cabinet themselves, which was denied
❖ Was supportive of Hitler, he didn’t want the government to respond to
when he remilitarised the Rhineland
❖ Known for being a womaniser, affairs with married women high up in
society
• Churchill misjudged the House of commons atmosphere, and makes a speech in
favour of the king, supporting him after his abdication.
❖ Parliament Disagreed, and so did the public, therefore he was shouted down
and shunned
, Appeasement and rearmament
o Agenised Public opinion wanted peace
o Similar to India he saw this as defence of British power
o German rearmament and expansion
• Conscription reintroduced in 1935
• Remilitarised Rhineland in 1936
❖ LON couldn’t respond as Germany left in 1933
❖ Italy, Britain and France disagreed
• Government tried to limit by agreement
❖ Anglo-German navel treaty 1935
➢ British approval for German naval force to become 35% of Britain’s
➢ Breaking TOV (6 battleships, no submarines) and Locarno pact
• Not until annexing of Austria was there a reaction by Nevil Chamberlin in MAR 1938
❖ Previously abdication crisis had been a distraction
• Little reaction greater problem was Hitler taking Czech borders in
❖ Had never been part of Germany
❖ Alliances with SU sand France
➢ Nevil Chamberlain knew if French acted Britain would be evolved in
war to protect them and tried to persuade CONSESSIONS
o Churchills opinion of rearmament and expansion and Hitler
• (hypocritically) Racism and Murdering of opponents
• Fearing a repeat of navel arms race like 1914
❖ Which he had written about in his ww1 book THE WORLD CRISIS
• He was a member of government for TOV unlike others, therefore it was personal
• Worried about increase in air power
❖ He knew about the damage of planes when being colonial sectary he
ordered aril attacks on Iraqi rebels in 1920 and ww1
• Churchills priority was defence
❖ Worried about increase in air power
➢ He knew about the damage of planes when being colonial sectary he
ordered aril attacks on Iraqi rebels in 1920 and ww1
❖ Less credible as Hitler was only taking colonies in Africa and pacific that until
TOV were Germany’s
➢ Many felt it wasn’t our concern as it was only uniting German
speaking people
➢ Equally many didn’t think Hitler was a threat as he did normal
country things like host 1936 Berlin Olympics