Churchill's war ministry and war cabinet

Years of Churchill’s first time in office

10 May 1940 - 26 July 1945

What was Churchill’s war ministry?

• The United Kingdom’s coalition government for most of the Second World War (10 May 1940 - 23 May 1945)

• Led by Winston Churchill, following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain in the aftermath of the Norway Debate

• Member parties - Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal National Party, Liberal Party, National Labour

How many men in Churchill’s war cabinet at the beginning of his time in office?

5

Who were the members of Churchill’s war cabinet?

Himself, Neville Chamberlain, Clement Attlee, Viscount Halifax, Arthur Greenwood

Churchill’s position in his war cabinet

• Prime Minister and Minister of Defence - in charge of the Defence Office (Conservative)

• Oversaw work of the Joint Planning Committee (in charge of operations planning) and Joint Intelligence Committee (proposed and researched military operations)

Neville Chamberlain position in war cabinet

Lord President of the Council (Conservative) - however resigned on 22 September 1940 due to ill health, and is replaced by Sir John Anderson

Clement Attlee position in war cabinet

Lord Privy Seal (Labour)

Edward Wood, Viscount Halifax position in war cabinet

Foreign Secretary (Conservative)

Arthur Greenwood position in war cabinet

Minister without Portfolio (Labour)

Later in 1940, who were added to the war cabinet when it was increased to 8

• Ernest Bevin as Minister of Labour and National Service (Labour)

• Anthony Eden as Foreign Secretary (Conservative), replacing Halifax who in December 1940 was sent to Washington as Ambassador to the United States

• Sir John Anderson as Lord President of the Council, replacing Chamberlain resigned in September 1940 (and Anderson later became chancellor after Wood's death in September 1943)

• also; Lord Beaverbrook as Minister of Aircraft Production; Sir Kingsley Wood as Chancellor of the Exchequer

What was a particularly important feature of this war ministry?

Churchill appointed members of Labour and the TUC - had support of political opposition and the Trade Unions - sustained production in wartime

who were all military plans overseen by? Who were the 3 chiefs of the Armed Forces?

• Chiefs of Staff Committee oversaw all military plans

• 3 Chiefs of armed forces were First Sea Lord, Air Marshall, and General

Who was Herbert Morrison?

• Labour Party

• Minister of Supply 12 May 1940 - 4 October 1940

• Home Secretary 4 October 1940 - 23 May 1945