Question 1
1 ‘Churchill was best suited to be Prime Minister in 1940.’
Use these four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view.
Source A: A leading journalist, the diplomatic editor of the ‘The Times’, offers a view of Churchill.
There is a drive against Chamberlain; I can’t quite see who can advantageously take his place. Curiously enough what is really needed is that Winston should be made to take a rest. He is overdoing himself and taking the strain by stocking himself up unduly with champagne, liqueurs etc. He dines out almost every night. He has got into the habit of calling conferences and subordinates after 1 am, so there is an atmosphere of strain at the Admiralty which is all wrong. Yet Winston is such a popular hero that he cannot be dropped. But he ought to be rested.
Leo Kennedy, Diary, 4 May 1940.
Source B: A leading member of a pro‑Churchill group of Conservative MPs writes to Churchill.
I have been in the House of Commons all day. This is the situation as I see it:
1. The Labour party won’t have Chamberlain as PM at any price
2. Nor will the Liberals
3. Nor will our group of Tory MPs
A majority of the House is determined on a radical reconstruction. Opinion is hardening against appointing Halifax as Prime Minister. I find a gathering consensus of opinion in all quarters that you are the necessary and inevitable Prime Minister – as I wrote to you some weeks ago. God knows it is a terrible prospect for you. But I don’t see how you can avoid.
Sir Robert ‘Bob’ Boothby, letter, 9 May 1940.
Source C: Churchill writes about a meeting between himself, Chamberlain, Halifax and Margesson.
Mr Chamberlain evidently had in his mind the stormy scene in the House of Commons two nights before, when I had seemed to be in such a heated controversy with the Labour party. Although this had been in his support and defence, he nevertheless felt that it might be an obstacle to my obtaining their adhere at the juncture. I do not recall the actual words he used, but this was the implication. His biographer, Mr Feiling, states definitely that he preferred Lord Halifax. As I remained silent a very long pause ensued. Then at length Halifax spoke. He said that he felt his position as a Peer would make it very difficult for him to discharge the duties of Prime Minister in a war like this.
Churchill, The Gathering Storm, 1948.
Source D: A former conservative cabinet minister, who resigned in 1938 over Munich, gives his view over why Churchill became prime minister.
On 10 May 1940 the Germans invaded Holland and Belgium. Chamberlain’s first reaction was that this terrible event gave him an excuse to remain as prime minister. He was persuaded that the events only meant he should depart urgently. The choice lay between Churchill and Lord Halifax, Churchill’s reputation had risen sharply since 1939. He had shown himself a highly competent First Lord of the Admiralty. His speeches in the Commons had been better than any of his colleagues. Halifax remained the foreign minister of Munich. The choice was obvious.
Duff Cooper, Old Men Forget, 1953.
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