Churchill as a wartime PM

• When was Churchill asked to become prime minister?

  10 May 1940
• How did Churchill's leadership style change the government?

  It changed to a more determined approach to fighting the war
• What was Churchill's attitude towards the war situation faced by the British people?

  He was determined to fight despite the grim situation
• What did Churchill do to rally the British people during the war?

  He made powerful speeches
• What is said about Churchill's speeches during the war?

  They have passed into legend
• Who did Churchill hope would eventually join the war?

  The USA
• What did Churchill expect regarding peace during the war?

  He expected a compromise peace
• How did Churchill's experience influence his leadership?

  He believed war should not be left to the generals
• How did Churchill's relationship with military leaders differ from previous wars?

  He took a very active part in military matters
• What happened to British control of the war by 1944?

  Britain lost control to allies with larger forces
• Who was the American commander during the invasion of France in 1944?

  Eisenhower
• What was one of Churchill's important strategic decisions early in his premiership?

  Reinforcement of British forces in North Africa
• What victories did British forces achieve before 1944?

  Victories in the air and at sea
• What was the major decision regarding the Mediterranean sector?

  To commit forces to fight there until 1944
• What did some US commanders think about fighting in the Mediterranean?

  They thought it was unsound and postponed the inevitable clash
• What was Britain's preferred method to defeat Germany?

  Bombing campaigns of increasing violence
• What was the bulk of the German army doing from 1941?

  Fighting against Russia
• What happened when Japan attacked British colonies in South Asia?

  British forces fell back to India
• What occupied most of Churchill's time during the war?

  Diplomacy and military matters
• How did Churchill's role change by 1943?

  He found himself increasingly isolated
• What did Churchill try to do with Stalin in 1945?

  Divide up eastern Europe
• What was a significant outcome of Churchill's attempts to protect Poland?

  Russians took over much of eastern Poland
• What were the differences between Britain and the USA during the war?

  Differences existed about trade policy and European empires
• When did Churchill's government start planning for post-war Britain?

  As early as 1942
• What role did Labour play in Churchill's wartime government?

  Labour ministers were important members
• What was the public mood in Britain by 1945?

  There was a desire for major domestic reform
• What happened to Churchill after the 1945 general election?

  He left office
• By what date did Germans break French defenses?

  By 14 May
• What would happen if France lost to Germany?

  Britain would be isolated
• What treaty did Hitler have that affected Britain's situation?

  A treaty with the USSR
• What was Churchill facing by 28 May?

  The British force was isolated in Dunkirk
• What was the danger of Italy joining the war?

  It would threaten Egypt and the Suez Canal
• What financial issue was Britain facing during this time?

  Gold reserves were running out
• What did Lord Halifax and Chamberlain want regarding Germany?

  They wanted to see what Germany wanted for a peace treaty
• How did Churchill view the idea of negotiating a peace treaty with Germany?

  He saw it as cowardly and damaging to morale
• How many soldiers were rescued from Dunkirk?

  Over 300,000 soldiers
• What bold decision did Churchill make regarding soldiers during the war?

  He sent soldiers to Egypt
• What action did Churchill take against the French fleet in June 1940?

  He attacked it to prevent it from falling into German hands
• What did Hitler and Goring prioritize over destroying the RAF?

  Bombing cities
• What happened to many officers who displeased Churchill?

  They were dismissed