Neville Chamberlain
Arthur Neville Chamberlain entered the world on the 18th of March 1869 at a house called Southbourne in the Edgbaston district of Birmingham. He was the only son from his father Joseph Chamberlain's second marriage to Florence Kenrick, who died when he was a small boy. His elder half-brother Austen Chamberlain had been born from Joseph's first marriage. The family belonged to the Unitarian church, though Joseph lost personal religious faith by the time Neville turned six years old. Neville disliked attending worship services and described himself as a reverent agnostic with no stated faith. He received education at home from his sister Beatrice before attending Rugby School. Joseph then sent him to Mason College, now the University of Birmingham, where he showed little interest in his studies. In 1889 his father apprenticed him to a firm of accountants. Within six months he became a salaried employee. To recoup diminished family fortunes, Joseph sent his younger son to establish a sisal plantation on Andros Island in the Bahamas. Neville spent six years there but the venture failed completely. Joseph Chamberlain lost £50,000 during that period. On his return to England, Neville purchased Hoskins & Company, a manufacturer of metal ship berths, with assistance from his family. He served as managing director for seventeen years while the company prospered. At forty he expected to remain a bachelor until falling in love with Anne Cole in 1910. They married the following year after meeting through his Aunt Lilian. She encouraged and supported his entry into local politics and remained his constant companion throughout his career.
Chamberlain initially showed little interest in politics despite his father and half-brother serving in Parliament. During the Khaki election of 1900 he made speeches supporting Joseph Chamberlain's Liberal Unionists. In 1911 he successfully stood as a Liberal Unionist for Birmingham City Council representing All Saints' Ward within his father's parliamentary constituency. He became chairman of the Town Planning Committee and directed one of the first town planning schemes adopted by Britain. The start of the First World War in 1914 prevented implementation of these plans. In 1915 Chamberlain became Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Five of his uncles had also attained this civic dignity including Richard Chamberlain, William Kenrick, George Kenrick, Charles Beale, and Thomas Martineau. As lord mayor during wartime he insisted that councillors and officials work equally hard. He halved the lord mayor's expense allowance and cut back on civic functions. In December 1916 Prime Minister David Lloyd George offered him the new position of Director of National Service with responsibility for coordinating conscription. His tenure was marked by conflict with Lloyd George who provided little support. In August 1917 having received no backing from the Prime Minister, Chamberlain resigned. Their relationship thereafter became one of mutual hatred. After the war ended a general election was called almost immediately. Chamberlain was elected with almost 70% of the vote and a majority of 6,833 votes. He was 49 years old which was at the time the greatest age at which any future prime minister had first been elected to the Commons.
Chamberlain threw himself into parliamentary work after entering politics. He chaired the national Unhealthy Areas Committee from 1919 to 1921 and visited slums in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Cardiff. Bonar Law offered him a junior post at the Ministry of Health in March 1920 but Chamberlain refused to serve under Lloyd George. When Stanley Baldwin became prime minister in 1923 he promoted Chamberlain to Chancellor of the Exchequer. Chamberlain served only five months before Conservatives lost the 1923 general election. Ramsay MacDonald became the first Labour prime minister but his government fell within months necessitating another election. By a margin of only 77 votes Chamberlain narrowly defeated Oswald Mosley who later led the British Union of Fascists. Believing he would lose if standing again in Birmingham Ladywood, Chamberlain arranged to be adopted for Birmingham Edgbaston where he was born. The Unionists won the election but Chamberlain declined to serve as chancellor preferring his former position as Minister of Health. Within two weeks of appointment he presented the Cabinet with an agenda containing 25 pieces of legislation. Before leaving office in 1929 twenty-one of those bills had passed into law. In 1929 he initiated the Local Government Act 1929 to abolish Poor Law boards entirely. He spoke in the Commons for two and a half hours on the second reading of the bill and concluded with applause from all parties. Chamberlain proposed a 10% tariff on foreign goods and lower tariffs on goods from colonies and Dominions. Joseph Chamberlain had advocated similar policy called Imperial Preference. Neville laid his bill before the House of Commons on the 4th of February 1932 concluding by noting the appropriateness of enacting his father's proposal. Austen Chamberlain walked down from backbenches and shook his brother's hand. The Import Duties Act 1932 passed Parliament easily.
In March 1938 Austria became part of Germany through the Anschluss though no help came when some Austrians requested it. Britain sent Berlin a strong note of protest without specifying actual action. With three million ethnic Germans, the Sudetenland represented the largest German population outside the Reich. Hitler began calling for union of that region with Germany. After the fall of Austria the Cabinet's Foreign Policy Committee considered seeking a grand alliance or an assurance to France if French forces went to war. Instead the committee chose to urge Czechoslovakia to make best terms possible with Germany. The full Cabinet agreed influenced by a report stating little could be done to help Czechs against invasion. On the 7th of September there was an altercation involving Sudeten members in Ostrava where Germans made considerable propaganda out of the incident. As tensions grew Walter Runciman concluded negotiations should resume after Hitler's speech at the Nuremberg Rally. On the 15th of September Chamberlain flew to Germany for the first time excepting a short jaunt at an industrial fair. He traveled to Berchtesgaden where face-to-face meetings lasted about three hours. Hitler demanded annexation of Sudetenland while Chamberlain obtained assurances regarding remainder of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain returned believing he had secured breathing space during which agreement could be reached. On the 22nd of September he met Hitler again in Bad Godesberg where Hitler brushed aside previous proposals demanding immediate occupation. That evening Chamberlain told Lord Halifax the meeting had been most unsatisfactory. On the 29th of September Chamberlain left Heston Aerodrome for his third visit to Munich. Four leaders including Daladier, Mussolini, and Hitler held informal meetings before signing the agreement at 1:30 am on the 30th of September. Hitler discovered ornate inkwell empty delaying ceremony. At 12:30 pm Czechoslovak government objected but agreed to terms. When returning to London crowds mobbed Heston taking hour and half journey to Palace. Streets were packed with cheering people as Chamberlain appeared on balcony with King George VI.
Germany invaded Poland early morning of the 1st of September 1939. British Cabinet issued warning that unless Germany withdrew from Polish territory UK would carry out obligations. House of Commons met at 6:00 pm where Chamberlain spoke emotionally laying blame on Hitler. No formal declaration occurred immediately because French foreign minister Georges Bonnet needed time until parliament met evening of the 2nd of September. Bonnet proposed Italian-held summit on the 5th of September similar to Munich style. British Cabinet demanded ultimatum given at once if troops not withdrawn by end of the 2nd of September war declared forthwith. Chamberlain postponed expiry despite having not yet served ultimatum. His lengthy statement made no mention of deadline consequently poorly received by House. National Labour MP Harold Nicolson later wrote he flung away his reputation in those few minutes. At 11:15 am the 3rd of September 1939 Chamberlain addressed nation by radio stating United Kingdom was at war with Germany. That afternoon he addressed House's first Sunday session in over 120 years speaking to quiet House in restrained effective manner. Chamberlain instituted War Cabinet inviting Labour and Liberal parties but they declined. He restored Churchill as First Lord of Admiralty with seat in War Cabinet giving Eden dominions secretary post without War Cabinet seat. New First Lord deluged Prime Minister with sea of lengthy memos which Chamberlain castigated for sending so many daily meetings. With little land action west initial months dubbed Bore War later renamed Phoney War by journalists. Government submitted emergency budget about which Chamberlain stated only thing that matters is winning war though we may go bankrupt process. Government expenditures rose little more than inflation rate between September 1939 and March 1940.
In early 1940 Allies approved naval campaign seizing northern Norway including key port Narvik possibly also iron mines Gällivare Sweden from which Germany obtained much ore. Baltic froze winter sending ore south by ship from Narvik. Unforeseen German occupation began the 9th of April when troops occupied Denmark invading Norway quickly. Allied forces sent troops meeting little success leading War Cabinet order withdrawal the 26th of April. Opponents decided turn adjournment debate Whitsun recess into challenge against Chamberlain who soon heard plan. After initial anger Chamberlain determined fight what became known as Norway Debate opening the 7th of May lasting two days. Admiral Roger Keyes delivered withering attack on conduct excluding Churchill criticism. Leo Amery concluded echoing Oliver Cromwell words dissolving Long Parliament You have sat here too long for any good you are doing Depart I say let us have done with you name God go. When Labour called division government prevailed only 81 votes despite normal majority over 200. Between 20 and 25 abstained while 38 MPs receiving whip voted against it. Chamberlain spent much of the 9th of May meetings with colleagues indicating many did not wish departure but rather reconstruct government. He decided resign unless Labour Party willing join government meeting Attlee later day. Attlee unwilling but agreed consult National Executive then meeting Bournemouth. Chamberlain favoured Halifax next prime minister proving reluctant pressing claims thinking House Lords position limit effectiveness Commons. Churchill emerged choice following day Germany invaded Low Countries considering remaining office. Attlee confirmed Labour would serve under someone else accordingly Chamberlain went Buckingham Palace resign advising King send Churchill. Churchill expressed gratitude Chamberlain willingness stand by nation hour need Baldwin wrote passed through fire since talking fortnago come out pure gold.
Chamberlain did not issue resignation Honours list departing usual practice. Remaining leader Conservative Party many MPs still supporting him distrusting new prime minister. Churchill refrained purge Chamberlain loyalists wishing return Exchequer declined convinced leading difficulties Labour Party. Instead accepted post Lord President Council seat shrunken five-member War Cabinet. Entering House Commons the 13th of May 1940 first time since resignation MPs lost heads shouting waving order papers regular ovation received. House received Churchill coolly some speeches like We shall fight on beaches met half-hearted enthusiasm. Fall power left deeply depressed writing Few men known such reversal fortune short time. Especially regretted loss Chequers place happy though farewell visit the 19th of June wrote content put mind. As lord president assumed vast responsibilities domestic issues chaired War Cabinet during Churchill absences. Attlee remembered free rancour felt against us worked very hard well good chairman committeeman always businesslike. Exerted great influence wartime economy Halifax reported War Cabinet the 26th of May Low Countries conquered French Paul Reynaud warning France might sign armistice diplomatic contacts neutral Italy offered possibility negotiated peace. Battle course action within war cabinet lasted three days Chamberlain statement final day unlikely acceptable offer matter pursued time helped persuade War Cabinet reject negotiations. Twice May 1940 Churchill broached subject bringing Lloyd George government each time indicated longtime antipathy immediately retire if appointed. Churchill did not appoint but brought up subject again early June agreeing provided personal assurance put aside feud.
Chamberlain died aged 71 on the 9th of November of cancer six months leaving premiership. Initial high regard entirely eroded books Guilty Men published July 1940 blaming Chamberlain associates Munich accord allegedly failing prepare country war. Most historians generation following death held similar views led Churchill The Gathering Storm. Some later historians taken more favourable perspective citing government papers released under thirty-year rule arguing going war Germany 1938 disastrous UK unprepared. Nonetheless still unfavourably ranked amongst British prime ministers. His reputation remains controversial among historians despite initial popularity after Munich Agreement. Books like Guilty Men blamed him and associates for failure prepare country war. Historians argued going war 1938 would have been disastrous because UK unprepared. Despite this unfavourable ranking many believe strategic choices made necessary given circumstances faced nation. Critics point out lack preparation while supporters argue timing impossible avoid conflict without greater loss lives. Debate continues regarding whether alternative path existed avoiding total destruction later years.
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Common questions
When was Neville Chamberlain born and where did he grow up?
Arthur Neville Chamberlain entered the world on the 18th of March 1869 at a house called Southbourne in the Edgbaston district of Birmingham. He received education at home from his sister Beatrice before attending Rugby School.
What role did Neville Chamberlain hold during World War I?
In 1915 Chamberlain became Lord Mayor of Birmingham and later served as Director of National Service with responsibility for coordinating conscription starting in December 1916. His tenure as Director of National Service ended when he resigned in August 1917 after receiving no backing from Prime Minister David Lloyd George.
How did Neville Chamberlain respond to Hitler's demands regarding Sudetenland?
On the 15th of September Chamberlain flew to Germany for face-to-face meetings where Hitler demanded annexation of Sudetenland while Chamberlain obtained assurances regarding the remainder of Czechoslovakia. On the 29th of September Chamberlain left Heston Aerodrome for his third visit to Munich where four leaders signed an agreement at 1:30 am on the 30th of September.
When did Neville Chamberlain declare war on Germany and what followed?
At 11:15 am the 3rd of September 1939 Chamberlain addressed nation by radio stating United Kingdom was at war with Germany. That afternoon he addressed House's first Sunday session in over 120 years speaking to quiet House in restrained effective manner before instituting a War Cabinet inviting Labour and Liberal parties who declined.
Why did Neville Chamberlain resign as Prime Minister in May 1940?
Chamberlain decided to resign following the Norway Debate which opened the 7th of May lasting two days after government prevailed only 81 votes despite normal majority over 200. He went to Buckingham Palace to advise King George VI to send Winston Churchill as the new prime minister because Attlee confirmed Labour would serve under someone else.
How has historical reputation of Neville Chamberlain changed since his death?
Neville Chamberlain died aged 71 on the 9th of November of cancer six months leaving premiership while initial high regard was entirely eroded by books like Guilty Men published July 1940 blaming him for failing to prepare country for war. Some later historians taken more favourable perspective citing government papers released under thirty-year rule arguing going war Germany 1938 disastrous UK unprepared yet his reputation remains controversial among historians.