PDF version of presentation used in Churchill Revision session for AS students. It is on Winston Churchill's role in the governments of the 1920s.

1. This colour indicates
where there is Ao1b going
on.
Churchill in the
1920s
Was he an unsuccessful politician?
Revision Session
This colour indicates some
Ao2a/b

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

3. Task 2
Really into mind maps at the moment

4. Problems with Communism
Churchill'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?

5. Did this make Churchill out to be an unsuccessful
politician?
Was
Unrealistic
view of
Russia:
popularity
of Tsar
hysterical
Believed the British might
support another war
Despite agreeing help,
intervention ended when
Dock workers refused to
load munitions
Did not
consider
practicalities
of war in
cold Russia
Sympathy for Bolsheviks from Labour
and British workers (Macdonald?)

6. Unrest at home
Little 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.

8. General Strike
Causes: 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.

9. What does
he say?
Who is he?
What do we know
that helps support or
challenge him?
Why does he say that?

10. What about
this
cartoon
from 1925?

11. Foreign Issues
Churchill's ability to compromise shown in
Palestine. Attempted compromises to give both
Arabs and Jews rights in Palestine.
Successful!
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.
Much less successful.

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

13. 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.

14. Did everyone agree?
How far does this support the idea
that Churchill was an unsuccessful
politician?

15. 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.

16. Is this a fair assessment of Churchill?

17. 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.