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Summary A* notes for chapter 2 of OCR A Level History: Britain 1930–1997
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Churchill as Wartime PM - Chapter 2Key:
Textbook headings
,Chapter 2
Churchill as Wartime Prime Minister.
What was Churchill’s stance towards the war in 1940?
• 13th May 1940 - situation dangerous but British army intact, French had large forces, Italy
not joined with Germany, Britain fighting one front, Churchill had put together cabinet
with own supporters.
- Felt destined to lead Britain – experience in war, confident in Britain’s ability to fight,
- speech: ‘you ask what is our aim? … victory’
- Little faith from Roosevelt + House of Commons had Chamberlain supporters.
- Why little support? Poor past record – Norway campaign failure + poor performance in WW1
• 14th May 1940- Germany broke French barriers, if France defeated —> Britain’s army
would be isolated —> German/Russia (who had treaty of friendship…) could attack
Britain?? (especially considering Hitler had already defeated Poland)
• 28th May 1940 - Churchill’s challenges:
1. British army cut off from France, so 300,000 troops tried to evacuate from Dunkirk.
(…Chances of evacuation low given German air superiority and possibility of German
assault)
2. Danger of Italy entering war – would threaten Egypt and Suez Canal.
(…Would cut off quickest British sea route to India + its colonies in Far East —>
would be more difficult to defend them against Japan)
3. Japan possible threat to British possessions in South Asia
4. Gold reserves running out – …not clear if could afford to go on fighting?
5. Germany bombed Poland + Low Countries – fear of Britain next
(…Heavy casualties expected from large-scale bombing)
6. Lord Halifax – supported appeasement, was Foreign Secretary, was
making discreet approaches to discover what German terms for peace
might be needed.
(…this was not cowardly/defeatist, but a rational decision)
(…As Italy still neutral – could be asked to find what Hitler would offer
SO Britain knew options BUT dangerous as could show Hitler Britain’s
weakening resolve to carry on war)
28th May – Cabinet discussed a French proposal: to approach Mussolini to ask what peace
terms Hitler might accept
….Halifax needed to know choices BUT dangerous for Italy to know Britain considered
peace as suggested weakening resolve to fight
….Better to consider terms before France was defeated and Britain bombed.
…Australian High Commissioner wanted to appeal to Roosevelt for peace conference
—> rejected by Churchill.
, Chapter 2
By 4th June –
Evacuation of 224,318 British troops + 111,172 Allies from Dunkirk.
Cabinet had resisted French demands for more aircraft, air defence of Britain was
possible.
Belgium surrendered, relations with France v. poor.
Cabinet members who favoured negotiation silenced
Churchill famous speech: ‘We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing
grounds, we shall, fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we
shall never surrender’
Direct appeal to USA when, Churchill said Empire would continue to fight if Britain
invaded, then said ‘the New World… steps forth to rescue… the old’
Offer of union: France and Britain would become 1 country, pooling forces
together —> BUT would not have prevented French surrender.
Talks of peace terms, but no longer serious possibility
Achievement of Churchill to maintain war with no allies against one of greatest
military powers (Germany) perceived as great success
3rd July- Defiant act made by attack on French fleet prevent it falling to German hands
…RAF had bombed Germany since it’s invasion of Low Countries
…British troops sent to Egypt even with threat of German invasion
… British achieved victories against Italy (Hitler’s ally, which had colonies in North Africa,
adjacent to Europe)
August 1940- German launched air offensive with aim to destroy RAF…SO brunt of war fell on
Britain —> 20th August, Churchill speech: ‘never in the field of Human conflict was so much
owned by so many to so few’
…Hitler and Goring (head of German air force) thought bombing cities more important
than destroying RAF —> believed civilians not withstand bombing —> cracked morale —>
make war efforts impossible
…September: Germans diverted attention from RAF to bombing of British cities —>
enabled RAF to recover
…Sir Hugh Dowding strategies: mobilised small groups of fighters + preserved strength of
RAF by not pursuing German bombers over the Channel —> effective BUT not supported
by Churchill, wanted larger-scale strategy —> D removed from command in Nov 1940
By end of 1940:
Some victories in North Africa + defeat of German air offensive
Churchill established position over rivals + his oratory became weapon
Churchill’s determination prevented negotiations with Germany.
Britain against Germany, Italy and (possibly) Japan with no Allies, and no commitment for
help from US
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