In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers.
Neville Chamberlain
Neville Chamberlain
March 18, 1869 - Nov. 9, 1940 |
The United Kingdom’s prime minister from 1937 – 1940. (See: Capitalist Democracies)
During Neville Chamberlain’s tenure as Prime Minister of Britain, he fought desperately to avoid war and was strongly convinced that he could prevent another major conflict from happening through diplomacy. Neville Chamberlain the Democtaric Leader 1911 Successfully stood as a Liberal Unionist for Birmingham City Council for the All Saints' Ward 1915 Became Lord Mayor of Birmingham 1916 Director of National Service 1919–21 Chairman of the national Unhealthy Areas Committee 1922–23 Postmaster general Paymaster general of the armed forces 1923 1924–29, 1931 Minister of health 1923-24, 1931–37 Chancellor of the Exchequer Chamberlain obtained passage of a number of Acts while Premier to create better conditions for the citizens of Britain
Chamberlain in War In a futile attempt to sway Fascist Italy away from German influence, he agreed (April 16, 1938) to recognize Italian supremacy in Ethiopia. Chamberlain went to Germany on a few different occasions in an attempt to prevent war, which resulted in the Munich Agreement. This agreement forced Czechoslovakia to hand over Sudetenland to Germany, leaving Czechoslovakia defenseless against Germany. Chamberlain returned to England announcing “peace for our time.” And “Peace with honor”, and that he secured peace “for our life time”. Unfortunately, Hitler didn’t keep his word and a year later declared war against Poland, which in turn forced Neville Chamberlain to declare a war with Germany. After, Czechoslovakia was overrun by Germany, Chamberlain’s response was to guarantee support for Poland, Romania, and Greece in the event of similar attacks. He also desired a mutual assistance agreement with Russia. This agreement was thwarted by the Soviet-German nonaggression treaty in 1939. Poland was invaded by Germany on September 1, 1939 also known as the “phony war”. Chamberlain, realizing he could no longer appease the dictators declared war on Germany. In Chamberlains last act in a sent a military expedition to Norway in April 1940, which failed miserably, causing him he resign. Chamberlain served in Churchill’s coalition until ill health forced him to resign, dying a few weeks later in 1940. |