Neville Chamberlain Biography

Neville Chamberlain is born in Birmingham to Joseph and Florence Chamberlain.

Chamberlain becomes Lord Mayor and promotes municipal savings during wartime.

Chamberlain establishes a municipal savings bank to mobilise household savings during wartime.

Leaves Birmingham municipal work for national wartime service.

Elected Member of Parliament for Ladywood

The municipal savings institution begins operating under its permanent Birmingham Municipal Bank name.

Appointed Paymaster General

Appointed Postmaster General

Appointed Minister of Health, 1st term

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term

Appointed Minister of Health, 2nd term

Administers health policy through local authorities before NHS reform.

Appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party

Appointed Minister of Health, 3rd term

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2nd term

The Treasury establishes an account to manage sterling and official foreign-exchange reserves.

The Treasury creates the Exchange Equalisation Account to manage sterling and official reserves after gold.

The Import Duties Act introduces a general tariff and ends Britain's long free-trade era.

Britain returns to protectective tariffs

Includes low expenditure on Defence

Sets up an Exchange Equalization Fund to prevent sudden fluctuations in sterling

Opening day of the Ottawa Imperial Economic Conference

Fails to agree on methods to check spread of trade barriers

The Imperial Conference decides in favor of limited Imperial preference in trade. Final day of the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottowa

The Imperial Conference decides in favor of limited Imperial preference in trade

The Imperial Conference decides in favor of limited Imperial preference in trade

National Liberal free traders resign from Government over Imperial preference

National Liberal free traders resign from Government over Imperial preference

Creates an unemployment assistance board to administer aid at a fixed national rate

Announces economic relief for depressed areas

Concludes the coal & cattle pact, a trade agreement made with the Irish Free State

Concludes the coal & cattle pact, a trade agreement made with the Irish Free State

Shapes rearmament finance before becoming prime minister.

Attacks the League of Nations sanctions against Italy for its invasion of Abyssinia

Inroduces a "National Defence Contribution", defeated by the City & backbenchers

The Gilmour Committee reports its findings & a Scottish Office is set up in Edinburgh

USA has "a long way to go yet before they become helpful partners in world affairs"

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain

Derby, seconded by Churchill, proposes Chamberlain for Leadership

Halifax & Hitler, "discuss practical questions involved in a European settlement"

The State of Eire exists within the Commonwealth but has no links with the crown

The State of Eire exists within the Commonwealth but has no links with the crown

The Irish free state is replaced by the sovereign State of Eire

The State of Eire exists within the Commonwealth but has no links with the crown. The Irish free state is replaced by the sovereign State of Eire

The State of Eire exists within the Commonwealth but has no links with the crown. The Irish free state is replaced by the sovereign State of Eire

Suggests "Plan Z" to Hitler, a Sudentenland plebiscite for inclusion in the Reich

Suggests "Plan Z" to Hitler, a Sudentenland plebiscite for inclusion in the Reich

Suggests "Plan Z" to Hitler, a Sudentenland plebiscite for inclusion in the Reich

Says in cabinet rearmament in 2 yrs will create "the gravest financial dislocation"

Anthony Eden resigns as Foreign Secretary in a dispute with PM Neville Chamberlain, he says Chamberlain is appeasing Germany

Britain and France recognize the Franco Government in Spain

Announces negotiations in Italy for a settlement of "outstanding questions"

Hitler says he is concerned by the 10 million Germans who live outside the Reich. Henderson offers Germany colonial territory

While Ribbentrop is at Chequers Hitler announces the Anschluss

While Ribbentrop is at Chequers Hitler announces the Anschluss

Declares in the Commons policy will not change despite Hitler's occupation of Prague

Declares in the Commons policy will not change despite Hitler's occupation of Prague

Daladier & Bonnet invite Britain to defend Czech from German invasion, Britain refuses

Daladier & Bonnet invite Britain to defend Czech from German invasion

Chamberlain fears a break with France & agrees to joint diplomatic action

German troops move to the Czech border. Chamberlain warns Berlin Britain will support France's Czech Treaty obligations

Warns Germany off military action against Czech but fails to support France. Warns Germany not to attack Czech

Tells France Britain will not take military action to defend Czech from Germany

Tells France Britain will not take joint military action to defend Czech from Germany

Announces in the Commons that Runciman is going to Prague as requested by Czech

Chamberlain met Hitler at Berchtesgaden and heard his demand that German-majority districts be transferred from Czechoslovakia.

Visits Hitler who tells Chamberlain that he will annex the Sudetenland

Britain & France urge Czech to transfer Sudeten areas to Germany. Britain & France persuade Czech to hand over areas greater than 50% German

Britain & France urge Czech to transfer Sudeten areas to Germany

Offers Hitler the Sudetenland. Chamberlain offers the dissolution of the Czech alliances with France & Russia

Chamberlain offers the dissolution of the Czech alliances with France & Russia

Hitler receives Chamberlain & demands the immediate cession of all Sudetenland

Offers Hitler the Sudetenland. Chamberlain offers the dissolution of the Czech alliances with France & Russia

Chamberlain presented the Anglo-French transfer plan that Czechoslovakia had accepted under pressure.

Chamberlain arrived near Cologne before continuing by train and motorcade to Bad Godesberg.

Chamberlain flew from Heston to Germany for his second personal meeting with Hitler.

Chamberlain presented the Anglo-French transfer plan that Czechoslovakia had accepted under pressure.

Chamberlain arrived near Cologne before continuing by train and motorcade to Bad Godesberg.

Chamberlain flew from Heston to Germany for his second personal meeting with Hitler.

Hitler receives Chamberlain & demands the immediate cession of all Sudetenland

Hitler receives Chamberlain & demands the immediate cession of all Sudetenland

Offers Hitler the Sudetenland

Chamberlain met Hitler again and presented the Anglo-French proposals accepted by Czechoslovakia.

Chamberlain continued discussions while British officials sought written clarification of Hitler’s expanded demands.

Chamberlain received the German memorandum and accompanying map during the final Godesberg discussions.

Chamberlain continued discussions while British officials sought written clarification of Hitler’s expanded demands.

Chamberlain received the German memorandum and accompanying map during the final Godesberg discussions.

Chamberlain left Godesberg after failing to secure Hitler’s acceptance of the Anglo-French plan.

Chamberlain reported that the negotiations had ended without agreement and that the danger of war had increased.

Chamberlain returned to London and placed the Godesberg memorandum before the Cabinet.

Chamberlain left Godesberg after failing to secure Hitler’s acceptance of the Anglo-French plan.

Chamberlain reported that the negotiations had ended without agreement and that the danger of war had increased.

Chamberlain returned to London and placed the Godesberg memorandum before the Cabinet.

Chamberlain returned from Godesberg without agreement and submitted Hitler's memorandum to the Cabinet.

Chamberlain considered whether a revised timetable and international supervision could bridge the remaining dispute.

Chamberlain considered whether a revised timetable and international supervision could bridge the remaining dispute.

Chamberlain addressed the British public as Europe prepared for a possible war over Czechoslovakia.

Chamberlain addressed the British public as Europe prepared for a possible war over Czechoslovakia.

Chamberlain broadcast that Britain should not rush into war over a distant dispute while negotiations remained possible.

Chamberlain received Hitler’s invitation to a four-power conference after the Godesberg crisis approached war.

In the Commons announces an invitation to attend a 4 power conference

Chamberlain received Hitler’s invitation to a four-power conference after the Godesberg crisis approached war.

Attends the Conference at the Fuhrerhaus with Hitler, Mussolini & Daladier

The Sudetenland is ceded to Germany & Teschen is ceded to Poland. Ruthenia & a part of Slovakia is ceded to Hungary

Chamberlain attended the four-power conference without representatives of Czechoslovakia present at the negotiations.

Chamberlain displayed the Anglo-German declaration after returning to Britain and described the settlement as peace with honour.

Declares from 10 Downing St there will be "peace for our time". Brings "peace with honor"

Chamberlain told the crowd at Downing Street that he believed the settlement meant peace for their time.

Agreed in the early hours, Chamberlain & Daladier must break it to the Czechs

Chamberlain and Hitler signed a separate Anglo-German declaration expressing a desire to resolve future disputes through consultation.

Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement in the early hours after the four powers settled the evacuation timetable.

The rearmament programme is stepped up with an emphasis on heavy bombers

Talks are held with the Fench, Chamberlain keeps his "limited liabilty" war policy

Returns having failed to satisy Hitler who will invade the Sudetenland 1st Oct

Returns having failed to satisy Hitler who will invade the Sudetenland 1st Oct

The Commons debate on the Munich Agreement begins

Chamberlain opened the Commons debate by defending the agreement as an alternative to immediate war.

The Commons debate on the Munich Agreement begins

Assures Chautemps & Delbos that Britain will not conclude an Anglo-German agreement

Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain. Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France. Signs an agreement with Turkey. Signs an agreement with Poland

A coal agreement is signed with Germany & a team of negotiators visits Britain

Visits Rome to prise Italy from the Axis, invited by Mussolini to pressurise France

Recognizes the Franco Government in Spain

Cabinet decides in the event of war with Germany an army will be sent to Europe

Announces in the Commons Britain cannot honour Czech obligations

Says Britain has no obligation to Czech because it has ceased to exist as a state. Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement

Germany invades Prague despite the Munich Agreement

Chamberlain warns that Britain will resist any attempt at German world domination.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain gives a speech in Birmingham, stating that Britain will oppose any effort at world domination on the part of Germany.

Chamberlain declared that Germany's destruction of Czechoslovakia had undermined the assumptions behind the Munich policy.

Ends appeasement of Germany by commiting Britain to defend Poland. Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany

Embarks on policy which leads to British declaration of war against Germany

Cabinet decides to double the territorial force

Britain & France pledge to support Poland

An alliance is signed with Poland providing for reciprocal guarantees

Britain & France pledge to support Romania. Britain & France pledge to support Greece

The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive

The Soviet Union offers a Soviet-British-French alliance which would guarantee the integrity of Poland, the consulations are unproductive

Warns Hitler Britain will support Poland in the event of an attack

Conscription is introduced

Conscription is introduced

Hitler denounces Germany's non-aggression pact with Poland. Hitler accuses Britain of "encirclement"

Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20

Conscription is created for 6 months service for men aged 20

Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain

Russia offers a tripartite alliance with France & Britain

Appeals for unity and invites Greenwood and Attlee to join a coalition government with him as Prime Minister

Calls an emergency Cabinet meeting on the Danzig crisis & threat to peace

Gives full authority of the law to the "defense regulations" issued by the Government

After Germany's pact with Russia Britain completes the Anglo-Polish Defence Alliance

Demands Hitler halt his Invasion of Poland

Asks Churchill to join the Cabinet as First Lord of the Admiralty

Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act

Declares war on Germany, at 11 AM

Parliament passes the National Services (Armed Forces) Act

Attends the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council meeting.

Meets Daladier at the first Anglo-French Supreme War Council.

Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain

Hitler triumphantly enters Danzig & offers concilliation with France & Britain

The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement

The Admiral Graf Spee sinks the steamship Clement

Clement became Admiral Graf Spee's first wartime merchant victim when the German raider sank her southeast of Pernambuco on 30 September 1939.

Hitler's offers of peace to France & Britain are rejected

Chamberlain dismisses Hitler's offer of peace

A U-47 penetrates the British anchorage & sinks the Royal Oak

Royal Oak lost 835 officers and men after U-47 penetrated Scapa Flow and torpedoed the battleship during the night.

1st air attack on British territory

A pact of mutual assistance is signed between Turkey, France & Britain

Meets French leaders as the Allies debate bombing the Ruhr.

Continues Anglo-French strategic discussions during the Phoney War.

Appointed Lord President of the Council

The War Cabinet debates action against German iron ore supplies moving through Narvik.

War Cabinet reviews possible action against German iron ore moving through Narvik.

Considers intervention in Scandinavia during the Winter War crisis.

The council considers intervention in Norway including a landing at Narvik

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

Calls off mining Norwegian waters, might effect neutrals such as the USA & Sweden

The War Cabinet continues planning for a possible Allied landing at Narvik.

Chamberlain's government pauses Narvik planning after Finland accepts peace with the Soviet Union.

Supreme War Council approves mining Norwegian waters and preparing Narvik occupation plans.

Approves Operation Wilfred and related Norwegian planning.

The council agrees to mine Norwegian waters and prepare Narvik occupation plans.

Allied troops begin landing in northern Norway to support operations against Narvik.

The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Namsos

The Allied Expeditionary Force lands at Andalsnes

General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim

General Mackesy is forced to call off the pincer assault on Trondheim

British Forces are withdrawn from Andalsnes

British Forces are withdrawn from Namsos

Labour will not serve in a Government with Chamberlain in. Attlee informs Chamberlain saying Labour will serve in the Government without him

After the failure of appeasement & there is a need for strong Government

Given 11 Downing St as part of his appointment as Lord President

Appointed Member of War Cabinet

Death of Neville Chamberlain, age 71