Exercise 3: Document Analysis and Simulation

Follow the links to these documents, then return to this page for our question section.

• Extracts from the diary of Maurice Hankey (Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence), 1915.

• Letter from Admiral Lord Fisher (First Sea Lord) to Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty), 5 April 1915.

• Extracts from text of Churchill’s speech on resigning from the Government, 15 November 1915.

• Memorandum by Churchill defending his Dardanelles policy, 15 August 1915.

• Note from Churchill to Fisher, 8 April 1915.

Questions

1. What was the argument between Churchill and Fisher about?
2. Look at the language, tone, style and handwriting of Fisher’s letter of 5th April 1915. What do these suggest about Fisher’s character and his relationship with Churchill?
3. Draft a short reply that Churchill might have sent to Fisher’s letter of 5th April, commenting specifically on the Dardanelles. When you have done this, look at Churchill’s note of 8 April to see what he actually wrote to Fisher.
4. What evidence is contained in these documents of the seriousness of the split between Churchill and Fisher?
5. To what extent do these documents support or challenge Churchill’s version of events in
   a) his speech to the House of Commons?
   b) his memorandum?