Leopold Charles Maurice Stennett Amery was a British Conservative Party politician and journalist, noted for his interest in military preparedness, India and the British Empire. The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative & Unionist Party) is currently the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), and the largest in terms of public membership. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ...

Early life and character

Leopold Amery (22 November 1873 – 16 September 1955) was born in Gorakhpur, India to an English father and a Hungarian Jewish mother (who was the sister of the orientalist Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner) and who had come to India from England. Her parents had settled in England and converted to Protestantism. Amery's father deserted the family when the children were young and his mother made great sacrifices to educate her two sons. November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gorakhpur is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination... Orientalism is the study of Near and Far Eastern societies and cultures, by Westerners. ... Gottlieb Von Leitner (1840/1841 - 22 March 1899) was an Anglo-Hungarian orientalist. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ...

Leo Amery was educated at Harrow, where he was a contemporary of Winston Churchill. Their two lives were destined to interconnect repeatedly. There is a noted story of Churchill pushing the year-older Amery into the school swimming pool. Churchill made amends later, but the two were never close. Amery was multidimensional like Churchill, was just as intelligent and in his own way as much or more a visionary. But he lacked Churchill's glamour, his oratorical ability and his brilliance as a writer. He was competent, hard working, honourable, honest and able, but had a tendency to become a bit of a bore on certain topics from time to time. He never built a core of supporters and a broad following in the land. Nevertheless, he was a great success in life, rising from difficult circumstances to become an outstanding student, a very successful journalist and author, a great administrator, a successful businessman and an effective cabinet minister. Few people bear comparison to Winston Churchill. Harrow School, normally just known as Harrow, is one of the worlds most famous schools. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

He gained a First at Balliol College, Oxford. He was elected a fellow of All Souls College. Undoubtedly bright, he could speak Hindi at the age of three and could converse in French, German, Italian, Bulgarian, Turkish, Serbian and Hungarian. College name Balliol College Named after John de Balliol Established 1263 Sister College St Johns Master Andrew Graham JCR President Jack Hawkins Undergraduates 403 MCR President Chelsea Payne Graduates 228 Homepage Boatclub Balliol College, founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in... All Souls College (in full: The College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed, of Oxford) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. ...

Journalism, starting a political career and his first two wars

During the Second Boer War he was a correspondent for The Times. In 1901, his articles in the Times on the reform of the army in southern Africa and specifically attacking the British General Sir Redvers Henry Buller contributed to the sacking of the latter. He later edited the Times History of the South African War. In 1911, he was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Birmingham South. During the Great War his language skills led to his employment as an Intelligence Officer in the Balkans. Later as an under-secretary in Lloyd George's national government he helped draft the Balfour Declaration (1917). He also encouraged Jabotinsky in the formation of the Jewish Legion of the British Army. He was First Lord of the Admiralty (1922 - 1924) under Andrew Bonar Law and Stanley Baldwin then later Colonial Secretary (1924-1929). Combatants United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand Orange Free State, South African Republic Commanders Frederick Roberts, Lord Kitchener Christiaan Rudolf de Wet, Paul Kruger Casualties 22,000 6,500 Civilians killed [mainly Boers]: 24,000+ The Second Boer War, also known as the South African War (outside of South Africa... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom since 1785, and under its current name since 1788. ... Sir Redvers Henry Buller (VC, GCB, GCMG) (7 December 1839-2 June 1908) was a British general and Victoria Cross holder. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... Birmingham South was a parliamentary constituency in Birmingham which returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 until it was abolished for the 1918 general election. ... David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor, OM, PC (17 January 1863 – 26 March 1945) was a British statesman and the last member of the Liberal Party to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. ... The Balfour Declaration was a letter dated November 2, 1917 from the British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, to Lord Rothschild (Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild), a leader of the British Jewish community, for transmission to the Zionist Federation, a private Zionist organization. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Zeev Jabotinsky in military uniform Zeev Vladimir (Evgenevich) Jabotinsky (or Zhabotinski) (October 18, 1880 - August 4, 1940) was a Zionist leader, author, orator, and founder of the Jewish Legion in World War I. During World War II a similar and larger unit known as the Jewish Brigade would follow. ... The Jewish Legion was the name for five battalions of Jewish volunteers established as the British Armys 38th through 42nd (Service) Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The First Lord of the Admiralty was a British government position in charge of the Admiralty. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Andrew Bonar Law (16 September 1858–30 October 1923) was a Conservative British statesman and Prime Minister. ... Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC (3 August 1867–14 December 1947) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on three separate occasions. ... The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet official in charge of managing the various British colonies. ...

Wilderness years

Throughout his political career, Amery was a great exponent of Imperial unity, seeing the British Empire as a force for justice and progress in the world. He strongly supported the evolution of the dominions into independent nations bound to Britain by ties of kinship, trade, defence and a common pride in the Empire. He also supported the gradual evolution of other colonies, particularly India, to the same status. In this he differed from Churchill, a free trader, who was less interested in the Empire as such, and more in Britain itself as a great power. Amery felt that Britain was too weak by itself to maintain its great power position.

Amery was very active in imperial affairs during the 1920's and thirties. He was in fact in charge of colonial affairs and relations with the dominions from 1922 to 1929. In the 1930's he was a member of the Empire Industries Association and was a chief organizer of the huge rally celebrating the Empire at the Royal Albert Hall in 1936 marking the centenary of Joseph Chamberlain's birth. He maintained a very busy speaking schedule (just under 200 between 1936 to 1938), many of the devoted to imperial topics, especially Imperial Preference. Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences is an arts venue dedicated to Queen Victorias husband and consort, Prince Albert. ... The Rt. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

Amery was not invited to join the National Government formed during the 1930's. He remained in Parliament, but joined the boards of several prominent corporations. This was necessary as he had no independent means and had depleted his savings during World War I and when he was a cabinet minister during the 1920's. Among his directorships were the boards of several German metal fabrication companies (representing British capital invested in the companies), of the British Southern Railway, the Gloucester Wagon Company, Marks and Spencer, the famous shipbuilding firm Cammell Laird, and the Trust and Loan of Canada. As well he was chairman of the Iraq Currency Board. National governments or national unity governments are broad coalition governments consisting of all parties (or all major parties) in the legislature and are often formed during times of war or national emergency. ... The Southern Railway in the United Kingdom was geographically the smallest of the four railway systems created in the Grouping ordered by the Railways Act 1921. ... Marks and Spencer plc (known also as M&S and sometimes colloquially as Marks and Sparks) is the largest retailer in the United Kingdom by sales. ... Cammell Laird logo Cammell Laird, one of the most famous names in British shipbuilding during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, came about following the merger of Laird, Son & Co. ...

In the course of his duties as a director of German metal fabrication companies, visiting factories, Amery gained a good understanding of German military potential. Hitler became alarmed at this situation and ordered a halt to non German directors. Amery spent a lot of time in Germany during the 1930's in connection with his work. He was not allowed to send his director's fees out of the country, so he took his family on holiday in the Bavarian Alps. He had a lengthy meeting with Hitler on at least one occasion. He also met at length with the Czech leader, Benes, the Austrian leaders Dollfuss and Schuschnigg and Benito Mussolini of Italy. This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Engelbert Dollfuss Engelbert Dollfuss (German: Dollfuß) (October 4, 1892 - July 25, 1934) was an Austrian politician and dictator. ... Kurt Schuschnigg (14 December 1897 in Riva del Garda, Austria-Hungary – 18 November 1977 in Mutters, Austria; Kurt von Schuschnigg until 1919) was an Austrian politician who in 1934 succeeded the assassinated Engelbert Dollfuss as dictator of Austria, as leader of the regime often called Austrofascism. ... Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945) was the Prime-Minister and dictator of Italy from 1922 until his overthrow in 1943. ...

Rearmament and appeasement

In the debates on the need for an increased effort to rearm British forces, Amery tended to focus on army affairs, with Churchill speaking more about air defence and Roger Keyes talking about naval affairs. Austen Chamberlain was until his death, a member of this group as well. While there was no question that Churchill was the most prominent and effective, Amery's work was not insignificant. He was a driving force behind the creation of the Army League, a pressure group designed to keep the needs of the Royal Army before the public. Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes ( 1872- 1945) was a noted British admiral and hero, with a life of adventure stretching from African anti slavery patrols to Allied landings in Leyte in World War II. Early Days The son of a famous hero father, Keyes was born on October... The Rt. ... The British Army is the land armed forces of the United Kingdom. ...

In the 1930s, Amery, along with Winston Churchill, was a bitter critic of the appeasement of Nazi Germany, often openly attacking his own party. Being a former Colonial and Dominions Secretary, he was very aware of the views of the dominions and strongly opposed giving Germany back her colonies, a proposal seriously considered by Neville Chamberlain. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Appeasement is a policy of accepting the imposed conditions of an aggressor in lieu of armed resistance, usually at the sacrifice of principles. ...

On the rearmament question, Amery was consistent. He advocated a higher level of expenditure, but as well a reappraisal of priorities through the creation of a top level cabinet position to develop overall defence strategy, so the increased expenditures could be spent wisely. He thought that either he or Churchill should be given the post. When a ministry for the coordination of defence was finally created under a political lightweight Sir Thomas Inskip, he regarded it as a joke. Churchill said the appointment was the most curious since Caligula made his horse a consul. Thomas Walker Hobart Inskip, 1st Viscount Caldecote was a British politician who served in many legal posts, culminating in serving as Lord Chancellor from 1939 until 1940. ... Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (August 31, 12 – January 24, 41), most commonly known as Caligula, was the third Roman Emperor and a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 37 to 41. ...

When the war came, he was one of the few anti-appeasers who was opposed to co-operation with the Soviet Union in order to defeat Nazi Germany. This came from a life-long fear of Communism. Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ...

It is commonly believed that when Neville Chamberlain announced his flight to Munich to the cheers of the House, Amery was one of only four members who remained seated (the others were Churchill, Anthony Eden and Harold Nicolson) There is, however, some debate as to whether Amery did in fact remain seated, or whether he just appeared to because he was so short! Arthur Neville Chamberlain (18 March 1869 – 9 November 1940) was a Conservative British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 to 1940. ... Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG, MC, PC (June 12, 1897– January 14, 1977), British politician, was Foreign Secretary for three periods between 1935 and 1955, including World War II and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1957. ... Sir Harold Nicolson (November 21, 1886 – May 1, 1968) was a British diplomat, author and politician. ...

Amery differed from both Churchill and Neville Chamberlain in hoping through the 1930's to foster an alliance with Italy to counter the rising strength of Nazi Germany. A united front of Britain, France and Italy would, he felt, have prevented a Nazi takeover of Austria, especially if supported by Czechoslovakia. For this reason he was in favour of appeasing Italy, by tacitly conceding her claims to Ethiopia. A promising start was made in the so-called Stresa Front of 1935, but the move by Britain to impose economic sanctions on Italy after the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1936, drove Italy, he felt, into the arms of Germany. The Stresa Front was an agreement made between French foreign minister Pierre Laval, British prime minister Ramsay MacDonald, and Italian leader Benito Mussolini in April 1935. ...

Another feature of Amery's outlook was a significant distrust of the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This stemmed from the thrust of the American Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, to use all his influence to pressure Canada to oppose Empire Free Trade, perhaps Amery's most cherished project. While the pressure was unsuccessful with Canadian Conservative prime minister, Richard Bedford Bennett, his Liberal successor, William Lyon Mackenzie King, adopted a more proAmerican stance. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States, the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ... In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. ... Secretary Hull Cordell Hull (October 2, 1871 – July 23, 1955) served as United States Secretary of State from 1933-1944 under Franklin Delano Roosevelt and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945. ... Conservative may refer to: Conservatism, political philosophy A member of a Conservative Party Conservative extension, premise of deductive logic Conservativity theorem, mathematical proof of conservative extension Conservative Judaism britney spears Category: ... For the British composer named Richard Bennett, see Richard Rodney Bennett. ... Look up liberal on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Liberal may refer to: Politics: Liberalism American liberalism, a political trend in the USA Political progressivism, a political ideology that is for change, often associated with liberal movements Liberty, the condition of being free from control or restrictions Liberal Party, members of... William Lyon Mackenzie King, OM, PC, LL.B, Ph. ...

He is famous for two moments of high drama in the House of Commons early in World War II. On 2 September 1939, Neville Chamberlain had spoken in a Commons debate and said he would not declare war on Germany immediately for having invaded Poland, a speech which greatly angered Amery and was felt by many present to be out of touch with the temper of the British people. As Labour Party leader Clement Attlee was absent, Arthur Greenwood stood up in his place and announced that he was speaking for Labour. Amery called out to him across the floor, 'Speak for England!' -- which carried the undeniable implication that Chamberlain was not. September 2 is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Arthur Neville Chamberlain (18 March 1869 – 9 November 1940) was a Conservative British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1937 to 1940. ... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the main democratic socialist[1] political party in the United Kingdom. ... Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, FRS, PC (3 January 1883 – 8 October 1967) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1945 to 1951. ... Arthur Greenwood (1880—1954) became deputy leader of the Labour Party under Clement Attlee, with Winston Churchill appointing him to the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio in 1940. ...

The second incident occurred during the notorious Norway Debate in 1940. Amery famously attacked Chamberlain's government, quoting Oliver Cromwell at the end: The Norway Debate was a famous debate in the British House of Commons that took place on May 7 and May 8, 1940. ... For the Monty Python song based on the historical figure, see Oliver Cromwell (song) Oliver Cromwell (April 25, 1599 – September 3, 1658) was an English military and political leader, considered by critics to be a dictator, best known for making England a republic and leading the Commonwealth of England. ...

You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!

This debate led to 42 Conservative MPs voting against Chamberlain and 36 abstaining, leading to the downfall of the Conservative government and the formation of a national government under Churchill's premiership. Amery himself noted in his diary that he believed that his speech was one of his best received in the House, and that he had made a difference to the outcome of the debate.

India Secretary

During World War II he was Secretary of State for India, despite the fact that that fate of India had been a keen issue of dispute between Churchill and Amery for many years. Amery was disappointed not to be given a post in the War Cabinet, but he was determined to do all he could in the position he was offered. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead... The office of Secretary of State for India or India Secretary was created in 1858 when India was brought under direct British rule (British Raj). ...

Retirement from politics

At the 1945 general election, he lost his seat to Labour's Percy Shurmer, a Post Office worker. He was offered but refused a peerage because this might, when he died, have cut short his son Julian's political career in the House of Commons. However, he was made a Companion of Honour. In retirement, Amery published his thre volume autobiography, My Political Life (1953-5). Clement Attlee Winston Churchill The United Kingdom General Election of 1945 held on 5 July 1945 but not counted and declared until 26 July 1945 (due to the time it took to transport the votes of those serving overseas) was one of the most significant general elections of the 20th... The Labour Party has been, since its founding in the early 20th century, the main democratic socialist[1] political party in the United Kingdom. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Harold Julian Amery, Baron Amery of Lustleigh (March 27, 1919 - 1997) was a British conservative politican. ... The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Order of the Companions of Honour is a British and Commonwealth Order (decoration). ...

Personal life

Leo Amery was a noted outdoorsman, especially famous as a mountaineer. He continued to climb well into his sixties, especially in the Swiss Alps, but also in Bavaria, Austria, Yugoslavia and Italy. He enjoyed skiing as well.

Amery distanced himself from his Jewish origins, probably due to anti-Semitism among the British establishment which he sought to join. It is quite likely he never informed his children of their Jewish heritage. His son, John Amery (1912–1945), had a troubled early life and between 1942 and 1945 made pro-Nazi broadcasts from Berlin. After the war he was tried and executed for treason. Another son, Julian Amery (1919–1996) was a Conservative politician who served in the cabinets of Harold Macmillan and Edward Heath. The Eternal Jew: 1937 German poster. ... John Amery (March 14, 1912–December 19, 1945) was a British anti-Communist who proposed to Hitler the forming of a British volunteer force (what became the British Free Corps), made recruitment efforts and propaganda broadcasts for Nazi Germany. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Treason (disambiguation). ... Harold Julian Amery, Baron Amery of Lustleigh (March 27, 1919 - 1997) was a British conservative politican. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC (10 February 1894 – 29 December 1986), was a British Conservative politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963. ... Sir Edward Richard George Heath, KG, MBE (9 July 1916 – 17 July 2005), soldier and politician, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974 and leader of the Conservative Party from 1965 to 1975. ...

References

• Amery, L.S., "My Political Life, Vol. 3 The Unforgiving Years: 1929-1940" , Hutchinson & Co,. Ltd, London, 1955
• Faber, David Speaking for England: Leo, Julian and John Amery: The Tragedy of a Political Family, Free Press, 2005, ISBN 0-7432-5688-3
• Bibliography