instil 10 year rule, 1920s defence
cuts
1930s context:
Why was Churchill out of office 1929- - Threatening period, Hitler rise, Japan
30? empire, civil war in Spain and
communism in Russia
Reasons why Churchill was not liked by the
Conservatives: Impact of Spanish Civil War:
- 1904 defected joined Liberals, - British non-intervention policy fear
preferred liberal free trade policies Spain align Soviet Union, protect
over Tory tariffs strategic positions, Gibraltar
- Liberals still weary – “don’t forget - The India League collaborated left-
that the aristocrat is still there”, wing orgs favour Republican Spain,
validated returned conservatives Indian citizens living in Britain
1924 demonstrations
- Conservative reaction – “he is asked - Platform Indian leaders assert
to stand, he wants to sit, he is presence, war appeared wider
expected to lie”, selfish opportunist struggle imperialism, links India’s
own fight freedom
Reasons why not liked by Labour:
- Churchill supported fascist side of
- 1926 attacks on trade unions during war – appeared old fashioned
General strike
Churchill’s views attitude to the
- 1910 use of troops striking miners in
Abdication Crisis:
South Wales – Labour responded with
“Tonypandy Reply” manifesto - Monarchy stable despite economic
criticising and empire issues from 1910+,
important figures patriotism WWI
Reasons why not liked in general:
- Edward VII – playboy, affairs (Jennie
- 1915 Gallipoli Campaign failure – Churchill) but acceptable at time
forced to step down as First Lord of - George V – many ways first modern
Admiralty monarch, reform, changed name
- 1925 returned Britain Gold Standard Windsor
– made exports dearer and - Edward VIII – GV concerned ‘ruin
unemployment rose, later war himself in 12 months’, not
problems acceptable
Context of the coalition: Edward VIII and Nazi Germany:
- Coalition formed necessity economic - Tendency off the cuff remarks often
depression 1930s Wall Street Crash seen political interference – concerns
- Economic crisis – Hitler fertile ground admired Nazi Germany
for extreme ideology + Churchill - Met Nazi officials including Goebbels
personally wiped his investments, who sympathised abdication,
forced to write suggested an alliance (suspicious of
- BUT Churchill did continue member loyalty), risk
of parliament for Epping some - Churchill later sent him govern
knowledge Bahamas
Reasons for Churchill not being invited to BUT – had been erratic heirs in past who
MacDonald’s coalition: stepped up e.g. George IV – concern =
marriage to Simpson
- Seemed too willing war, could not
afford funding ‘arms race’ unrealistic Opposition to marriage
, - Archbishop of Canterbury expressed Debate over India:
concerns – king Head of Church
- Before 1918: when independence
uphold divorce opposition
move gained momentum BUT only
expectations, Simpson in process 2nd
1/7 people entitled vote in Britain,
divorce when met
many women and workers little more
- Cabinet rejected calls for morganatic
say than Indian people
marriage, likely gov resign if go
- After 1918: more democratic
through triggering an election
Australia, NZ right self gov and
Why did Churchill support the King remained loyal – prejudice
- ‘King’s friends’, devoted to Churchill’s views on India:
monarchy, friendship when Prince of
- Served India young officer – common
Wales
those work/serve believe British rule
- Speech day before abdication 11th
prevented Hindu elite domination,
Dec 1938 supporting king, ‘shouted
‘jewel in the crown’
down’ by House of Commons
- Racial superiority Anglo-Saxons rule
Churchill’s views about empire and over ‘lesser’ peoples – publicly
India and clashes with his party: praised Mayo’s “Mother India”
describe Hinduism barbaric
British problems in India:
- Prison leaders Quit India Campaign
- 20s and 30s pressure educated elite 42-43
and mass populace led by Gandhi - Bengal Famine 1943 – 800,000 died,
- Gandhi non-violent protests British no send food aggravated BUT maybe
repression and reform – confused, prioritise war as urged Canada and
poor rep Australia to aid
- Repression: The Rowlatt Acts 1919
Churchill’s views towards Germany
increased police power, prison no
after 1933:
trial
- Reform: Montagu Chelmsford Churchill’s attitudes to Hitler rise to power:
measures 1919 locally elected
- Jan 1933 Hitler chancellor, well
councils some control
known wants rearm, break ToV
The Amritsar Massacre 1919: - Feared repeat of pre 1914 situation
Ger threaten Britain by build naval
- April 1919 Gandhi mass campaign
fleet
against Rowlatt, troops opened fire
- Worry air power, understood
- Churchill sympathies criticised Dyer
dangers, been colonial secretary who
‘monstrous’ and ‘sinister’
approved attacks on Iraqi rebels in
- Brutality = mass civil disobedience
1920s
After the Amritsar Massacre 1919: - Past historical and war knowledge –
‘The World Crisis’ book stressed
- 1930 march against salt tax = German threat
numerous arrests include Gandhi, - Part of gov established ToV 1919, at
released meetings in London 1930 signing
and 1931 - Disliked Nazi violence and
- Little success rearrested antisemitism BUT not oppose
- Churchill criticised Viceroy of India – nationalist dictatorship – supported
‘nauseating’ and ‘humiliating’ and praised Mussolini 1920s
Government of India Act 1935: Context:
- Increase Indian electorate from 5 to - Ironic – had used ‘appeasement of
35 mill European hatreds’ in 1920s
- Churchill 68 opposition speeches - WWI context: defeated Ger control
during vote on final bill Belgium and Northern France + after