Saturday, February 26, 2005

On Rehabilitating Chamberlain

This Powerline post on Sharon's strategy covers lots of ground including:
And it's not true, pace Steve Mytkyn, that "British politicians, including Chamberlain, that had favored appeasement changed their position after Poland and were strong supporters of defeating Hitler whatever the cost." As the Cabinet minutes show, both Chamberlain and Halifax tried to force Churchill to negotiate with Hitler after the fall of France. After one grim session, Churchill marched out of the war Cabinet, called a meeting of the rest of his ministers, and insisted on carrying on the fight. He was given a standing ovation and used this display of resolve to put down Halifax. I think it was this confrontation that led to Halifax's subsequent dismissal and appointment as ambassador to the U.S.
What a surprise.