Why did Churchill become PM in 1940

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Why did Churchill become PM in 1940 (His strengths vs Chamberlain's weaknesses)

Advantages

  • Churchill was seen as the only alternative after Halifax refused
  • Churchill was considered to be a strong leader that was needed in times of war
  • He had also had previous experience of being in a War Cabinet, serving as Minister for Munitions, and later as secretary of state for War
  • However, Churchill had orchestrated the disastrous campaign at Gallipoli in 1915-1916 which many people saw as lacking good judgement
  • He was also the main orchestrator of the 'Ten Year Plan' which gave the Treasury main control because it was assumed there would be no great European war in the next 5 to 10 years, this made him seem indecisive to many
  • Churchill had also been out of government for a considerable period from 1929-1939
  • Churchill was the decisive leader that was needed for the worsening war: French surrender, invasion of Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgium, and Italy's entrance into the war
  • Churchill was judged by his long term record- not the Norway Campaign
  • Churchill's suggestions that Britain's military had significant weaknesses was proved at Norway by the German air superiority being of greater importance than British naval superiority

Disadvantages

  • Halifax refused the job because he assumed that he would be only an 'honorary' PM as Churchill would dominate
  • Churchill, as Lord of the Admiralty, made fatal errors during the Norway Campaign. This chiefly included interfering with Generals
  • His mistakes were mostly deflected onto Chamberlain, who as commander in chief should have been the leader, and therefore the person to blame for its failure
  • The Norway campaign was: poorly planned, had an infirmity of purpose, badly coordinated, had undecided targets. Britain captured Narvik on 28th May, they were evacuated by the 8th June
  • The vote of no confidence on the Norway campaign became a vote of no confidence against Chamberlain. Only 486 (/615) voted and the Conservatives still won a majority, but it was only of 81 (too few to full continue in a war)
  • Chamberlain was too unpopular- Labour/ Liberals wouldn't serve in an National Government (all-party coalition) with him. However Labour said they would serve under another Conservative, although they gave no formal preference who
  • Halifax had disadvantages because he sought peace and negotiation with Hitler- Churchill believed that this was impossible to achieve
  • Chamberlain was a convenient scapegoat for the problems of the early war period

Evaluation

Churchill's strength was that people were more willing to blame others (Chamberlain) than him. Although his strengths recommended him for the role, the ultimate reason that he became PM was because of the weaknesses of Chamberlain.

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