Churchill in the 1920s

Was he an unsuccessful politician? Revision Session

This colour indicates where there is Ao1b going

on.

This colour indicates some Ao2a/b

Task 1 Image sorting: what knowledge about Churchill in the 1920s can we link these images?

Palestine

Task 2Really into mind maps at the moment

Problems with CommunismChurchill's "Ducal blood revolted against the wholesale elimination of the Grand Dukes in Russia".

The civil war (communists against white army) made Churchill think he should commit British troops to help out the white army:

Why would this be a problem 1918-1921?Lloyd George (PM) and Ramsay Macdonald (Labour leader) were agreed in condemning Churchill. "Mad adventure as though he were emperor of these Isles"

Corroboration between Labour and Liberals against a Conservative?

Did this make Churchill out to be an unsuccessful politician? Unrealistic

view of Russia:

popularity of Tsar

Believed the British might support another war

Did not consider

practicalities of war in

cold Russia

Was hysterical

Despite agreeing help, intervention ended when Dock workers refused to

load munitions

Sympathy for Bolsheviks from Labour and British workers (Macdonald?)

Unrest at homeLittle distinction between Russia and unrest at home.

Increase in trade union movement during WW1. Increase in strikes. Also joint union action (e.g Triple Alliance of Railway Workers, Miners and Transport Workers).

Worries about syndicalism.

Churchill also claimed Irish troubles were linked to Bolsheviks in Russia and Union unrest at home.

General StrikeCauses: price of coal, end of government subsidies.

Return to gold made coal exports more expensive. Loss of overseas markets= cut hours, job losses, wage cuts.

TUC called for strike, Churchill saw it as a showdown between government and unions.

Extreme in views, given British Gazette as an outlet/ distraction, but when the strike was over showed sympathy to miners and tried to work on a compromise. Failed, but was pro workers' pay and conditions throughout.

What does he say?

Who is he? Why does he say that?

What do we know that helps support or

challenge him?

What about this

cartoon from 1925?

Foreign IssuesChurchill's ability to compromise shown in Palestine. Attempted compromises to give both Arabs and Jews rights in Palestine.

Turkey (Chanak crisis- dispute between Greeks and Turks over Smyrna). Churchill and Lloyd George disagreed initially over whether to support the Greeks but then Churchill came round. Ignored public opinion, MPs and the Dominions in order to get involved in a pointless war. Only ambiguous instructions ended the conflict.

Successful!

Much less successful.

We don't have time to go over Ireland. Don't forget

Ireland!

Why does Churchill end up in the political wilderness?

Financial experts had criticised his budgets.

Probably fairly. Gold standard caused

problems.

Liberals saw him as a renegade.

Probably fairly. Especially considering the British Gazette.

Armed services unhappy about cuts.

Unemployment blamed on Gold Standard.

Both things Churchill can be blamed for.

Did everyone agree?

How far does this support the idea that Churchill was an unsuccessful

politician?

But...Churchill's witty repartee in Parliament

and his support for useful social reforms such as pensions in 1929, plus Palestine, and successful negotiation in Ireland did make Churchill seem

like a good politician. Also; some thought his stand against the unions was heroic- guarding the

constitution.

Is this a fair assessment of Churchill?

Still...

It was considered that he could never lead England.

Many thought he was out of touch with modern politics.

Not popular with party leaders.