Asquith and Lloyd George

1
Asquith and Lloyd George

• What effect did the war have on the Asquith/Lloyd
  George split?
• A McCoy OCR A/S 2009

2
Before World War I

• Both were New Liberals
• Lloyd George succeeded Asquith as Chancellor once
  Asquith had become PM.
• Both enjoyed a close working relationship before
  World War I but differed over the Boer War and
  votes for women.

3
World War I

• Initially in 1914, Lloyd George was opposed to
  intervention but quickly supported the war and
  became a supporter of total war.
• Asquith personally favoured a more laissez
  faire traditional liberal approach in this
  matter and did not favour compulsory measures,
  such as conscription. Some argued Asquith lacked
  dynamism.
• With Andrew Bonar Law, DLG persuaded Asquith that
  coalition govt was required. Coalition duly set
  up in May, 1915.
• December 1916, Lloyd George became PM