Churchills Views On Britians World And Imperial Roles Flashcards
(10 cards)
What did Churchill see Britians position in the war as ?
A major nation defending peace and honouring its obligations
After the Poland guarantee of 1939 Britian had a moral obligation to enter the war
Why did Churchill think Britian had so much power ?
It’s extensive empire which he believed was a force for good and that it would fight alongside Britian
How did Churchill dramatise the conflict ?
How does this contrast to the empire
A war between democracy, freedom, civilised and Christian value against the dark force of Nazism and dictatorship
Contrasted as non white citizens of the empire didn’t have the right to vote
Did Britian in fact have a major role ?
Yes, despite defeats at Norway and France in 1940 Britian was a part of the big three nations
Britain maintained good relations with the USSR and the USA
What did Churchill believe in in terms of ‘race’ ?
The ‘English speaking peoples’ the Anglo Saxon world community including the USA and parts of the empire had natural bonds and would stand together to defend freedom and democracy
Did Churchill show a support for a United Nations ?
Yes he urged a coalition against expansionist powers such as Germany and Japan
He believed in a ‘Untied Nations’ to prevent aggresssion
What did Churchill do in terms of the empire and it’s dominions ?
Consulted statesmen from the white dominos and appointed high ranking military leaders from these dominions which factored into Britian success
What is impressive about Britains international relations ?
- US persuaded despite making a greater contribution to not priorise the pacific where its main interests lay instead defeat Germany and follow British ideas of waging war
- great losses of USSR estimated 9 million compared to British 452k yet a Russian alliance was maintained. One battle (Staringrad) saw 1 million dead
- despite agreeing to the Atlantic Charter in 1941 Britain did not have to give up its empire as a price for US support despite terms affirming democracy and self government
What did Britian expect its colonies to do ?
Provide trips and food as well as raw materials for the war effort without concessions for greater governance
How did Britian treat India ?
British rule in India was enforced
Leader of the Quit India campaign were imprisoned
No wartime promises of independence and Britian didn’t do much to alleviate famine in Bengal, India 1942
