Centre members might be interested in two recent articles just seen (not
read) in connection with work for the Royal Historical Society Bibliography
:
Ramsden, John. ‘Churchill and the Germans’. Contemporary British History
25-1 (2011) : 125-139.
Abstract :
This article examines the attitude of Winston Churchill to Germany and to
the German people. It begins with an assessment of how Churchill is viewed
in Germany today, comparing this with his reputation in Britain. The author
points out that while the most significant parts of Churchill’s political
career were concerned with commenting on German affairs and with planning
strategies designed to defeat the German state in war, he knew little about
the country. Although Churchill undoubtedly advocated magnanimity in how the
Germans ought to be treated at the end of the world wars, the reality has
been that any residual political tensions between Britain and Germany can in
part be attributed to Churchill’s words and strategies. What is more, when
Churchill’s attitude towards Germany is examined more closely, it is
generally much less sympathetic. Before the First World War, Churchill
admired the German social security system, resented the predominance of the
Junkers in government and feared Germany’s growing naval capability. After
the War, Churchill then feared an alliance between Germany and the new
Soviet government in Russia, and advocated a policy of appeasement to both
primarily for this reason. In the case of Germany, this included a
sympathetic approach towards revisions of the Treaty of Versailles, but when
Weimar democracy failed, Churchill was quick to denounce the new Nazi
regime. The article then examines the impact of his views on Hitler’s regime
on the wartime alliance between Britain and the USA. On key aspects of this
issue, Churchill was happy to be led by Roosevelt and the article highlights
the lack of clarity that existed between the British and American
governments about how best to treat Germany when the war had ended. The
remainder of the article considers the criticisms that have been levelled at
Churchill by those groups that fared worst at the hands of the Nazis,
especially the Jews and by scholars considering ethical and strategic issues
concerning the blanket bombing of Hamburg and Dresden in 1945.
Swift, John. ‘Randolph Churchill and the General Election in Preston, 1945:
Bucking the Trend’. Northern History 48-1 (2011) : 123-144.
Abstract :
In the 1945 General Election, the Conservative Party under the leadership of
Winston Churchill was defeated in a largely unexpected Labour landslide. The
former Prime Minister’s son, Randolph Churchill, MP for Preston since 1940,
also lost his seat, but by a swing much lower than the national average.
This was hardly due to his performance as a constituency MP. He was largely
absent on military service. His ability to antagonise his own constituency
workers was no help to his cause. He did have the advantage of name
recognition and a heroic war record, but these were hardly decisive factors.
It is argued here that his comparatively strong electoral performance was
due to his adoption of the cause of social reform combined with his ability
to campaign in a flamboyant manner that appealed to electors, which suggests
that a very different result might have been possible if his approach had
been taken up nationally by the Conservative Party.
Professor Antoine CAPET, FRHistS
Head of British Studies
University of Rouen
76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan
France
[email protected]
'Britain since 1914' Section Editor
Royal Historical Society Bibliography
Reviews Editor of CERCLES
http://www.cercles.com/review/reviews.html
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