18.1.10

Churchill

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The Role of Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940 AD. His leadership was an important factor in the Allied victory.

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Becoming Prime Minister

  • After the invasion of Poland, Churchill was named First Lord of the Admiralty and placed in the war cabinet.
  • After Chamberlain resigned, Churchill was chosen to be the next Prime Minister.
  • Churchill also became the Minister of Defense. He had considerable powers (more so than any other Prime Minister during a war).
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Special Forces

  • Churchill set up the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Commando Forces (later called Special Forces).
  • These organisations were responsible for secret missions in enemy territories.
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Dunkirk

  • After the Nazis invaded France, the French asked for the British air force to help them.
  • But Churchill refused. He did this because he realised that fighter planes would not be able to save France and that they were needed to protect Britain.
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The Battle of Britain

  • During the Battle of Britain, Churchill gave a number of famous speeches to boost morale in the country.
  • On the 4th of June 1940 AD, he gave the famous speech 'We shall fight them on the beaches' to Parliament. It is still quoted today.
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Seeking support

  • Churchill wanted the United States to help Britain against the Nazis.
    • The Americans refused but did agree to the Lend-Lease Agreement.
  • Churchill was anti-communist but had to cooperate with the Soviet Union.
    • The relationship between Churchill and Stalin (the leader of the Soviet Union) was very strained but because they were united against a common enemy, the alliance survived.
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Normandy

  • Churchill delayed the Normandy invasion.
  • This was a wise decision as it gave time for the Soviet Union to conquer and liberate Nazi territories. This made Germany weaker and gave the Allies the upper hand.
  • Churchill also was part of Operation Fortitude. This was a plan to confuse the Nazis about the Allied invasion. This led Germany to waste time and resources.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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