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Winston Churchill, the wartime leader

Study note

As France fell to Germany in 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and Britain's wartime leader. The year to remember is 1940, not 1914. Before entering politics as a Conservative MP in 1900, Churchill had been both a soldier and a journalist, so he brought wide experience to the role.

Churchill is remembered above all for his determination. He refused to surrender to the Nazis even when Britain stood alone, and he inspired the British people through a series of famous speeches. He lost the general election of 1945, but he returned to power as Prime Minister again in 1951, so 1951 is the date for his second time in office. In 2002 he was voted the greatest Briton of all time in a public poll.

Memory tip: Churchill became wartime PM in 1940; inspirational speeches; PM again in 1951.

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Question 1 of 4

Who became Prime Minister and Britain's war leader in 1940?

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Show all questions and answers for Winston Churchill, the wartime leader(4 questions with explanations)

Winston Churchill, the wartime leader: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who became Prime Minister and Britain's war leader in 1940?

    • Clement Attlee
    • Winston Churchill
    • Neville Chamberlain
    • Aneurin Bevan

    Correct answer: Winston Churchill

    Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940 as France fell.

  2. 2. In which year did Winston Churchill return as Prime Minister for a second time?

    • 1940
    • 1951
    • 1945
    • 1965

    Correct answer: 1951

    Churchill lost the 1945 election but returned as Prime Minister in 1951.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and war leader in 1914
    • Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and war leader in 1940

    Correct answer: Winston Churchill became Prime Minister and war leader in 1940

    Churchill became wartime Prime Minister in 1940.

  4. 4. Winston Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time in a public poll in 2002.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. In 2002 Churchill was voted the greatest Briton of all time.

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