1. Churchill’s view of events 1929-40
Why was Churchill out of office for so long 1929-39
Summary : politically isolated, in conflict with own party. Relied on loyal group deemed
eccentric. Age of radio and cinema meant his rhetoric style was outdated. Unpopular
opinions on - India, Abdication, Rearmament & Concessions to Hitler.
Churchill not seen as calm/ reliable leader that appealed to foreign investors/markets. He
was a renegade:
● pre-war speeches attacking Conservative views in House of Lords
● Reckless Gallipoli campaign in 1915
● Returned Britain to gold standard in 1925 - blamed for unemployment
1931- Conservatives joined Labour and some Liberals to form the National Government - no
room for Churchill.
India:
Situation : Saw it as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire - believed that British rule
alone prevented Hindu domination over Muslims.
The Indian population wanted self-governance & representation. Ghandi & pursuit of
nonviolent protest increased after 1918.
The British reacted with The Rowlatt Acts 1919 - allowed imprisonment without trial.
But Montagu-Chelmsford measures 1919 - gave elected local govts more control.
April 1919 - Ghandi led campaign against Rowlatt Acts - 400 killed and 1200 wounded at
Amritsar Massacre. Led to non-violent civil disobedience campaign - salt march 1930 - calls
for independence. 1930-31 Ghandi attended talks in London- then Government of India Act
1935 was passed - electorate expanded to 35 million + set up elected legislatures.
Churchill response: opposed movement with extreme public statements in support of racist
organisations. He believed Gandhi & Indian nationalists only wanted FULL independence so
concessions were a waste of time. Threatened to shatter the Conservative Party, aiming to
make Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of India, resign. Stanley Baldwin (Conservative leader)
,mocked him. Churchill’s view must be motivated by prejudice - granting Independence
would release economic burden and satisfy the British public and would not abolish Indian
loyalty.
Abdication of Edward VIII
Situation :
George V had a son - David who was far less respectable - made political comments, had
many affairs with older women. Had an attachment to Wallis Simpson, an American
divorcée. David became King Edward VIII and wanted to marry her (but was difficult as she
had been divorced and the Archbishop of Canterbury opposed). Nov 1936, Prime minister
Stanley Baldwin told King - public would not accept Wallis as Queen. Govt & dominions
disapproved of morganatic (as consort, not queen) marriage. Dec 1936 - Abdication speech
broadcast.
Churchill’s response :
Took a minority, old-fashioned position. Part of informal group ‘The King’s Friends’
supported monarch (personal loyalty/chivalry). Made a speech in favour of the king in the
House of Commons and was shouted down.
Rearmament
Situation:
1933 - Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and started to rearm Germany.
Churchill’s concerns:
Did not object to the concept of nationalist dictatorship (1920s praised Mussolini) but saw
Hitler’s regime as brutal & feared a repeat of 1914, when Germany threatened Britain (&
Europe) with the building of a new fleet. He also feared Hitler building up a German air force.
- Churchill knew the effects of aerial bombing as he approved air attacks on Iraqi rebels in
1920. He was also one of the only leaders who was also present at ToV. THEREFORE -
Churchill advocated for British rearmament
Critics responses:
Churchill was responsible for maintaining 10 year rule (cutbacks in defence) & disarming in
the 1920s.
Financial crisis necessitated cuts in expenditure- 1934 means tests imposed stringent
conditions on public help for the unemployed or those in poverty so need a highly compelling
reason to prioritise spending on an arms race with Germany whilst the poor suffered
WW1 originated with a similar kind of arms race.
Seen as reasonable by many that Germany should rebuild defences after harsh ToV (+
threat from USSR & large French forces)
Churchill had a pre-1914 mentality in opposition to Germany.
Many believed disputes should be left to LoN
Rearmed after 1938
Appeasement:
What was appeasement? :
1930s - Policy of attempting to deal with Hitler through negotiations and concessions, rather
than increasing Britain’s defences. In any case, Britain did not have the funds to upgrade its
arms with new aircrafts and tanks.
German Rearmament in 1930s (& British initial response):
, 1935 - Hitler reintroduced conscription - broke ToV
April 1935 - expanded into Austria (Stresa Front) - Italy aligned itself with Britain & France
against Germany. (BUT Mussolini not a British ally as they condemned his invasion of
Ethiopia 1935)
June 1935 - Anglo- German Naval Treaty- allowed Germany to develop fleet as long as it
was only 35% of the British fleet. - Churchill was horrified.
Chamberlain & Appeasement:
Negotiations but build up defences in the mean time in case appeasement failed. Supported
by Conservative + some Labour - Labour who opposed appeasement were against
rearmament. Churchill in Minority
Chamberlain believe in negotiations with Germany (but different policy to existing one of
reacting to issues as they arose). No faith in LoN or K-B Pact (1928).
British public wanted to avoid war - supported negotiations.
He knew lack of resources meant Britain physically could not fight another war- army
commitments in Empire
German Expansion
1936 - Germany remilitarised the Rhineland
March 1938 - German annexation of Austria - accepted by both Germans and Austrians
French protests but British response was mild.
Confident, Hitler stirred up unrest among German-speakers in the border areas of
Czechoslovakia.
The ‘Sudetenland’ (border areas in Czechoslovakia) had never been part of Germany
(despite there being German speakers), so a German invasion was not reclamation.
Czechoslovakia had an alliance with France & USSR. Britain was not obliged to act but the
French were. Chamberlain put pressure on Czechs to make concessions. As German
speakers in Czechoslovakia became more agitated, Chamberlain flew out to negotiate with
Hitler (without LoN). Failed - Hitler repudiated agreement of self-govt in Sudetenland.
The Munich Conference:
Sept 1938 - Mussolini called for a four-power conference.
Mussolini was a (weakly bound) ally of Hitler in the Pact of Steel.
Agreement that Nazis could take the Sudetenland - Czech defences surrender.
Chamberlain pursued personal diplomacy (without consultation) - got Hitler to sign a pact
guaranteeing future consultation - regarded this as a triumph. Tremendous admiration for
him. But British rearmament accelerated.
Chamberlain also guaranteed to defend Poland if invaded.
Churchill’s response:
Concessions made Britain look weak - Grand Alliance backed by LoN was necessary to
stand up firmly to Hitler. He believed Britain should go to war if necessary (not explicitly
stated).
Criticisms of Churchill’s view:
- no discussions of who Britain’s allies would be
- British troops tied down in empire peacekeeping (e.g. Palestine)
- Did not consider Britain’s vulnerability in Far East- 1938 Japan was seeking their
resources in SE Asia to support war against China.
- Churchill was hostile to USSR - alliance unlikely
- French opinion opposed to action
Why was Churchill out of office for so long 1929-39
Summary : politically isolated, in conflict with own party. Relied on loyal group deemed
eccentric. Age of radio and cinema meant his rhetoric style was outdated. Unpopular
opinions on - India, Abdication, Rearmament & Concessions to Hitler.
Churchill not seen as calm/ reliable leader that appealed to foreign investors/markets. He
was a renegade:
● pre-war speeches attacking Conservative views in House of Lords
● Reckless Gallipoli campaign in 1915
● Returned Britain to gold standard in 1925 - blamed for unemployment
1931- Conservatives joined Labour and some Liberals to form the National Government - no
room for Churchill.
India:
Situation : Saw it as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire - believed that British rule
alone prevented Hindu domination over Muslims.
The Indian population wanted self-governance & representation. Ghandi & pursuit of
nonviolent protest increased after 1918.
The British reacted with The Rowlatt Acts 1919 - allowed imprisonment without trial.
But Montagu-Chelmsford measures 1919 - gave elected local govts more control.
April 1919 - Ghandi led campaign against Rowlatt Acts - 400 killed and 1200 wounded at
Amritsar Massacre. Led to non-violent civil disobedience campaign - salt march 1930 - calls
for independence. 1930-31 Ghandi attended talks in London- then Government of India Act
1935 was passed - electorate expanded to 35 million + set up elected legislatures.
Churchill response: opposed movement with extreme public statements in support of racist
organisations. He believed Gandhi & Indian nationalists only wanted FULL independence so
concessions were a waste of time. Threatened to shatter the Conservative Party, aiming to
make Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of India, resign. Stanley Baldwin (Conservative leader)
,mocked him. Churchill’s view must be motivated by prejudice - granting Independence
would release economic burden and satisfy the British public and would not abolish Indian
loyalty.
Abdication of Edward VIII
Situation :
George V had a son - David who was far less respectable - made political comments, had
many affairs with older women. Had an attachment to Wallis Simpson, an American
divorcée. David became King Edward VIII and wanted to marry her (but was difficult as she
had been divorced and the Archbishop of Canterbury opposed). Nov 1936, Prime minister
Stanley Baldwin told King - public would not accept Wallis as Queen. Govt & dominions
disapproved of morganatic (as consort, not queen) marriage. Dec 1936 - Abdication speech
broadcast.
Churchill’s response :
Took a minority, old-fashioned position. Part of informal group ‘The King’s Friends’
supported monarch (personal loyalty/chivalry). Made a speech in favour of the king in the
House of Commons and was shouted down.
Rearmament
Situation:
1933 - Hitler became Chancellor of Germany and started to rearm Germany.
Churchill’s concerns:
Did not object to the concept of nationalist dictatorship (1920s praised Mussolini) but saw
Hitler’s regime as brutal & feared a repeat of 1914, when Germany threatened Britain (&
Europe) with the building of a new fleet. He also feared Hitler building up a German air force.
- Churchill knew the effects of aerial bombing as he approved air attacks on Iraqi rebels in
1920. He was also one of the only leaders who was also present at ToV. THEREFORE -
Churchill advocated for British rearmament
Critics responses:
Churchill was responsible for maintaining 10 year rule (cutbacks in defence) & disarming in
the 1920s.
Financial crisis necessitated cuts in expenditure- 1934 means tests imposed stringent
conditions on public help for the unemployed or those in poverty so need a highly compelling
reason to prioritise spending on an arms race with Germany whilst the poor suffered
WW1 originated with a similar kind of arms race.
Seen as reasonable by many that Germany should rebuild defences after harsh ToV (+
threat from USSR & large French forces)
Churchill had a pre-1914 mentality in opposition to Germany.
Many believed disputes should be left to LoN
Rearmed after 1938
Appeasement:
What was appeasement? :
1930s - Policy of attempting to deal with Hitler through negotiations and concessions, rather
than increasing Britain’s defences. In any case, Britain did not have the funds to upgrade its
arms with new aircrafts and tanks.
German Rearmament in 1930s (& British initial response):
, 1935 - Hitler reintroduced conscription - broke ToV
April 1935 - expanded into Austria (Stresa Front) - Italy aligned itself with Britain & France
against Germany. (BUT Mussolini not a British ally as they condemned his invasion of
Ethiopia 1935)
June 1935 - Anglo- German Naval Treaty- allowed Germany to develop fleet as long as it
was only 35% of the British fleet. - Churchill was horrified.
Chamberlain & Appeasement:
Negotiations but build up defences in the mean time in case appeasement failed. Supported
by Conservative + some Labour - Labour who opposed appeasement were against
rearmament. Churchill in Minority
Chamberlain believe in negotiations with Germany (but different policy to existing one of
reacting to issues as they arose). No faith in LoN or K-B Pact (1928).
British public wanted to avoid war - supported negotiations.
He knew lack of resources meant Britain physically could not fight another war- army
commitments in Empire
German Expansion
1936 - Germany remilitarised the Rhineland
March 1938 - German annexation of Austria - accepted by both Germans and Austrians
French protests but British response was mild.
Confident, Hitler stirred up unrest among German-speakers in the border areas of
Czechoslovakia.
The ‘Sudetenland’ (border areas in Czechoslovakia) had never been part of Germany
(despite there being German speakers), so a German invasion was not reclamation.
Czechoslovakia had an alliance with France & USSR. Britain was not obliged to act but the
French were. Chamberlain put pressure on Czechs to make concessions. As German
speakers in Czechoslovakia became more agitated, Chamberlain flew out to negotiate with
Hitler (without LoN). Failed - Hitler repudiated agreement of self-govt in Sudetenland.
The Munich Conference:
Sept 1938 - Mussolini called for a four-power conference.
Mussolini was a (weakly bound) ally of Hitler in the Pact of Steel.
Agreement that Nazis could take the Sudetenland - Czech defences surrender.
Chamberlain pursued personal diplomacy (without consultation) - got Hitler to sign a pact
guaranteeing future consultation - regarded this as a triumph. Tremendous admiration for
him. But British rearmament accelerated.
Chamberlain also guaranteed to defend Poland if invaded.
Churchill’s response:
Concessions made Britain look weak - Grand Alliance backed by LoN was necessary to
stand up firmly to Hitler. He believed Britain should go to war if necessary (not explicitly
stated).
Criticisms of Churchill’s view:
- no discussions of who Britain’s allies would be
- British troops tied down in empire peacekeeping (e.g. Palestine)
- Did not consider Britain’s vulnerability in Far East- 1938 Japan was seeking their
resources in SE Asia to support war against China.
- Churchill was hostile to USSR - alliance unlikely
- French opinion opposed to action
