Thunderbird does not recognise password email account password in linux on chrome

I have installed Thunderbird on Linux on a chromebook. When I try to add my (gmail) email account in the Thunderbird account setup screen, it hangs up trying to authenticate the Google password for the gmail account. I have scrupulously checked and rechecked the password and the server details, and they are all correct. Why won't Thunderbird accept the password for my gmail account? Or is something else not right?