Free Essay

Churchill

In:

Submitted By wellington22
Words 614
Pages 3
FILE NAME: CHURCHILL: SOLDIER, POLITICIAN,STATESMAN JOHNSTONE ASSIGNMENT 2

THE ASSIGNMENT THAT FOLLOWS HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY, AND IS ENTIRELY THE WORK OF PETER JOHNSTONE

‘Churchill’s reputation was at its peak between 1940 and 1941.’ Do you agree?

Any ‘peak’ requires troughs and mini peaks to accentuate the highest point. Looking at Churchill’s career in total, 1899/1901 are good years for him as a writer, adventurer and establishing himself as an MP. In 1904, he takes a dip when he crosses the floor and upsets the Conservatives for many years hence. In government (1908/11) , he established a reputation as something of a social reformer (Labour exchanges, minimum wages, insurance act, Labour and shop acts). Also, he improved his reputation further by doing excellent work as First Lord of the Admiralty 1911/15, but then came crashing to earth after the Dardenelles debacle. It recovered somewhat in 1917/19 as Minister of Munitions and then had mixed success from 1919/22, but his Russian adventure destroyed any reputation he might have had with the left. As a Conservative from 1924/29 his reputation took a further battering when, as Chancellor, he restored the gold standard. From 1929/39 he was at a low point: out of parliament, opposed the India Bill, was a lone voice for rearmament, defender of Edward V111. 1939/40 was an improvement as First Lord of the Admiralty –‘Winston’s back’ said the Navy, pleased.

The next two years were made for Churchill. The ferocity of the German military machine which struck across Europe in 1939/40 was unlike anything that had been seen before or envisaged (except by Churchill). Nobody in power in Britain or France was remotely able to face this challenge. Reynaud, Petain, Weygand had no answers, nor did the peace loving Chamberlain and the Christian Halifax have the stomach for what might lie ahead. It was a truly frightening situation for ‘western civilisation’.

Into this void strode Churchill: piratical, adventurous, bloody minded, determined, energetic, and not afraid of Hitler. There was simply no one else. First, he ‘mobilised the English language and set it into Battle’ and his speeches were ‘so hypnotic.. he bound his spell upon them (the people) until it seemed.. he was speaking what was in their hearts and minds.’(Isaiah Berlin) But he gained public support not just by talking, but by travelling round the country and being visible at the worst of times. ‘Winston’s going to be on’ the wireless was, according to Best, ‘almost a religious occasion’. Ivan Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador, also reported ‘Churchill thus far commands the support of the working class.

In Parliament too his reputation was at its height. George Lambert, veteran MP said in July 1940,’You have today the complete confidence of Parliament and the nation’. Finally, Brooke, that most ascerbic of commentators and least impressed by politicians , spoke for the military when he said ‘ He is quite the most wonderful man I have ever met’. After the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and the Oran incident his reputation in America grew.

Following America and Russia’s entry into the war and the military setbacks in 1942, Churchill reputation declined somewhat in tandem with British influence during the war, and in 1945 the people voted to go in a different direction. There was a brief spike in 51/52 when he returns to power, and although he becomes the grand old warrior continues to paint, lecture, his reputation never again reaches the heights it did in 1940/41.

REFERENCES:

Churchill: A study in greatness (Best)
Churchill: Four Faces and the Man (Taylor, Rhodes James,Plumb, Liddell Hart, Storr)
Finest Years: Max Hastings
Churchill: Roy Jenkins

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Churchill

...Donald Oznick Winston Churchill: The War Years SSC 102-7557 04 October, 2011 “Winston Churchill: Statesman, Author, Soldier, Artist” Winston Churchill was one of The United Kingdom’s greatest leaders in modern times. Serving as Prime Minister on two occasions, and considered by many the greatest wartime prime minister in British history, his love for country was unequalled. Born November 30th 1874 to Lord Randolph Churchill and Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston was a direct descendent of the Duke of Marlborough. His family was, from the very beginning, part of parlament in the United Kingdom. His school years were tough. He was sent to the Ascot boarding school when he was eight where he didn’t excel at much and received reports of unruly behavior. When he became ill he was transferred to a school in Brighton but still was at the bottom of the class when it came to behavior. Churchill entered Harrow in 1888, his father didn’t think he had the mental fortitude to attend the University so he arranged to have him put in the army class. Winston had always enjoyed playing with his toy soldiers and he thought maybe this would interest him more. At Harrow he excelled at history, english, and chemistry. At the age of 14 he wrote over 1500 essays imagining a future war between Great Britian and Russia. As impressive as it was he never mastered latin as he didn’t enjoy it at all. After attending Harrow and failing the entrance exam for the Sandhurst Military Academy he finally passed...

Words: 639 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Winston Churchill

...Winston Churchill Winston Churchill was born in 1874 at Blenheim Palace. His mother was an American while the father, Lord Randolph Churchill, belonged to one of England’s most distinguished families; he became Member of Parliament the same year that Winston Churchill was born. He was representative for the modern points of view in the Conservative Party and many people had expected of him to become Prime Minister. However, in 1887 he withdrew from the government and died a few years later. After having attended Sandhurst, Winston Churchill became an officer and afterwards a journalist, among other things during the Boer War. He became Member of Parliament in the year of 1900; at that time he was a Conservative. A few years later, however, he became a Liberal and subsequently a member of the government. He had many different ministerial offices, but he also spent a period in France as a soldier in WW I. At the election in 1922 he lost his seat in the House of Commons and when he was re-elected two years later it was as a Conservative. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer but afterwards he lost his political influence. He warned against Hitler and the rearmament of Germany several times in the thirties, but only few people listened to him. When it turned out that he was right in his warnings he returned to the government in 1939. For six months he was Minister of the Navy and in May 1940 at the age of 66 he then became Prime Minister. Many regarded him a symbol of the...

Words: 367 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Churchill 1945

...emphasis he gave to the need to finish the war against Japan suggested once more that war was his only real interest. The East End of London was flooded with rumours that he was planning a war against Russia. The result plunged him into depression ... but it was not quite as bad as it seemed. After polling on 5 July, Churchill and Attlee returned to Potsdam while the service vote was collected. On 25 July they returned home to await the results, which began to come in the following morning. By the afternoon it was apparent that Labour had won by a landslide - with 393 seats and an overall majority of 183 in the House of Commons. The notion that the Conservatives were defeated by 'the forces vote' is mistaken - as the opinion polls showed, the civilian vote was strongly pro-Labour - but war weariness was probably a factor against Churchill among civilians and servicemen alike. The result plunged him into depression and his party into shock, but it was not quite as bad as it seemed. The first-past-the-post system gave an exaggerated picture of Labour's triumph, disguising the fact that just over half the electorate had voted against them. Churchill soon recovered his spirits. He reinvented himself as a global statesman, doggedly retained the leadership of the Conservative Party, and confidently awaited what he saw as the inevitable reaction against Socialism. He had, in fact, performed one great service for Conservatism. After the failure of appeasement and the disrepute...

Words: 305 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Winston Churchill

...Journalist, historian, solider, painter, he was also one of the greatest leaders of our time. His name was Winston Churchill and he rallied the nation in its darkest hour. Even tough he was one of Britain’s greatest leaders, he was also one of the hardest man to work with. With many failures in his political career his opponents called him “A man with a brilliant future behind him”. (Churchill the maverick politician) But most of his colleges and friends will remember him as a hardworking man who, after every failure, pulled himself back and began anew. Few people remember his early days. He was born in aristocracy, his father Lord Randolph Churchill was the youngest son of the Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer Churchill. His mother was a lively daughter of an American financier. When his mother was seven and a half months pregnant she stayed at Blenheim palace, were on the 30th November of 1874 Winston Churchill was born and baptized. He was brought up by a nanny, Ms. Elizabeth Anne Everest. She served as his confidante, nurse, and mother substitute. (Jenkins 10) At the age of seven his mother sent him to a boarding school. And at the age of thirteen he went to Harrow School. At Harrow school he showed great interest in fencing and the subject History of England. He also won the public school championship in fencing. His parents’ were too busy with their social life to pay any attention to their son. During his years at Harrow he sent several letters to his mother asking...

Words: 1397 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Winston Churchill Communication

... Mid-Term Paper | Jerry JesseauCO 1013October 22, 2013 | Intro to Communications Mid-Term Paper Winston Churchill was a British politician who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 which is during most of the second World War, and also again from 1951 to 1955. Churchill is very commonly known for his memorable addresses to the British people at the beginning of World War II, speeches such as; We Shall Fight on the Beaches; Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat and Their Finest Hour are some of his more well-known speeches given in 1940. In this essay, how Winston Churchill kept Great Britain’s morale afloat during the dim times of World War II will be examined with the use of some of his more famous speeches. Poland, France and the majority of Europe had fallen to Hitler and Germany and Churchill was vastly responsible for keeping his nation calm. Winston Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom came on May 13th, 1940. When speaking for the first time to the house of commons he had this to say regarding his entrance; "I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many long months of toil and struggle.” Churchill reveals that his takeover of the British government will not solve the massive struggle they have ahead, however they must act now or...

Words: 1529 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Winston Churchill

...In 1902 Winston Churchill entered politics in Britain, shortly upon entering politics Churchill became known throughout Britain for his great skills as a debater and phrasemaker. It was not until 1940 when Churchill became renowned world wide as he is today. Due to severity of the time period and the fact that Churchill speech giving skills and use of words would give Churchill an advantage over the rest of the politicians in Britain. Churchill’s rise to power was at the beginning of World War II as Hitler’s power grew it began to strike fear in the people of Britain, Churchill as the Prime Minister at the time, goal was simple it was to unite the country and get them ready to fight the greatest enemy they have ever faced. Cue Winston Churchill’s speech on May 13th 1940. The speech most famously remembered for the line about blood, toil tears and sweat was used to unite the people of Britain in the time of war, urging the people to place all their energy in the war effort as Churchill is doing himself. “Churchill was a cavalier statesman who could never survive roundhead strictures on ornament and theatrical excess in speaking. That's why he could supply what everyone needed in 1940: a style that would mark emphatic ends (there is no good news), conventional ideas (we are an ancient nation), and old-fashioned emphasis (we will fight). Perhaps the style never suited the time. It suited the moment.” (Adam Gopnik) The style in which Churchill used on most if not all his speeches...

Words: 1561 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Churchill the Writer

...Churchill the Writer Winston Churchill (1874-1965) is one of the most celebrated, criticized, and without question debated political figures in world history. While Churchill had a long and controversial political career, most notably his nine years as Prime Minster of Great (1940-45, 1951-55), his fame, something many view as a crucial aspect of his life he thrived off of and live for, spanned well beyond the years he held various positions in political office. Churchill was born and raised in the Victorian Era, a time in which the British Empire was at its peak as the world’s strongest power. When studying almost any aspect of Churchill’s life, his romantic vision of Britain as a thriving empire and world power holds a strong precedence. Many historians study Churchill through his political career, aiming to validate claims both for and against Churchill as hero of his time. There is expansive research and volumes of evaluations on Churchill’s decision making and the associated success and failures that ensued. While the never ending debate on the quality of his leadership goes on, Churchill’s career as a writer and his extensive published works are commonly overlooked. This paper analyzes Churchill the writer and how his works not only paint a vivid picture of his life and times, but are also a self-reflection of the man he was and the man he wanted to be. Churchill once stated, “Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy then an amusement. Then it becomes...

Words: 1940 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Winston Churchill

...Winston Churchill There are not too many people that can say they were knighted and given an honorable state burial, however Sir Winston Churchill can. According to (Wikipedia.org), upon the death of Churchill on January 24 1965, the queen of Britain granted him the honor of a state burial. Churchill was granted this honor due to his many accomplishments during his life. These accomplishments range from him being a great war hero, to being awarded the Nobel peace prize. However, his biggest accomplishments came during his two terms as the First Lord of Admiralty and as Prime Minister, but people still wonder if he was the right man for the jobs. Winston Churchill grew up going to school like any other kid, but as he got older his personality and leadership skills propelled him ahead of the rest. It began with his leadership in the second Boer War, where he became well known as a brave war hero according to (GlobalSecurity.org). The acknowledgement of a war hero led to him being elected to Parliament. While in the Parliament, Churchill changed from the conservative side to the liberal side due to his beliefs on the Tariff Reforms. Then in 1908 Herbert Henry Asquith appointed Winston into the Cabinet as the President of the Board of trade according to (Wikipedia.org). Wikipedia also explains how he used his position as president of trade to set up the first minimum wages in Britain. After he was finished with minimum wages he helped write the first unemployment pension...

Words: 2113 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Winston Churchill

...Winston Churchill BROADCAST ON RUSSIA BEING INVADED June 22 , 1941 Winston Churchill BROADCAST ON RUSSIABEING INVADED June 22,1941   At 4 o'clock this morning Hitler attacked and invaded Russia.Suddenly,without declaration of war,without even an ultimatum,the German bombs rained down from the sky upon the Russian cities; the German troops violated the Russian frontiers and an hour later the German Ambassador,who till the night before was lavishing his assurances of friendship,almost of alliance,upon the Russians,called upon the Russian Foreign Minister to tell him that a state of war existed be- teen Germany and Russia.   Hitler is a monster of wickedness,insatiable in his lust for blood and plunder.The Nazi regimes devoid of all theme and principle except appetite and racial domination.It excels in all forms of human wickedness,in the efficiency of its cruelty and ferocious aggression.No one has been a more consistent opponent of Communism than I have for the last twenty-five years.I will unsay no words that I‘ve spoken about it.But all this fades away before the spectacle which is now unfolding.   The past, with its crimes,its follies and its tragedies,flashes away.I see the Russian soldiers standing on the threshold of their native land, guarding the fields which their fathers have tilled from time immemorial.I see them guarding their homes,their mothers and wives pray,ah,yes,for there are times when all pray for the safety of their loved ones,for the return of the breadwinner,of...

Words: 995 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Winston Churchill

...Tears and Sweat (appendix 1) from Winston Churchill is chosen as the subject of the study. I chose this speech because I thought it would be interesting to analyze a speech that promotes violence. Since, traditionally politicians think about the people, and would try to protect their countrymen and avoid any violence that would risk the citizens’ lives. But in this case Churchill advices to wage war for the good of the nation. He urges the country to fight against the Nazis. Even though, logically war brings misery to the nation and its people, here Churchill convinces the audience that it binds them together. “I have nothing to offer but blood, tears and sweat” these words are from Winston Churchill. You may know him from his time spent as Prime Minister or from some books he wrote. He was a stubborn yet courageous leader. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born in 1874 in Oxfordshire, England. He described himself as "an English-Speaking Union," being the son of Lord Randolph Churchil l and the American heiress Jennie Jerome. Churchill’s childhood did not belong to the happiest. His relationship with parents was limited due to their constant duties. Contact with mother was replaced by close relationship with his nanny. Father’s high expectations toward the son were not met in the early years. He was educated at Harrow and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, and was sent to India with a cavalry commission in 1895. Churchill had a chance to experience “the first taste...

Words: 415 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Winston Churchill

...Early Life- Education – Family Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was born on November 30, 1874 to Jeannie Jerome, and Lord Randolph Churchill in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. His mother was a New York socialite and his father was a British Statesman that belonged to the aristocratic family the Dukes of Marlborough. He had only one sibling, a brother John Strange Spence- Churchill. Churchill lived in Dublin, Ireland, from the age of 2 to 6. His father worked for his grandfather, the 7th Duke of Marlborough, John Spencer-Churchill. He also lived in Berkshire, west Sussex, and London. He did not spend much time with his parents, and it is said, he adored his mother but had a distant relationship with his father. Churchill’s earliest education was from his nanny, Elizabeth Everest, who taught him to read and write. As a young boy he was sent to boarding schools. He attended St. George School, Ascot, Brunswick School, and in 1988 was sent to The Harrow School near London. There he joined the Harrow Rifle Corps, which put him on a military path. It is said that Churchill was rebellious and did not do well at school, but did love English and History. He also had a speech impediment that lasted throughout his life. He applied to the Royal Military College and failed the test three times before he was admitted, but he did well and graduated 8th in his class. In 1904 at a Ball in Crewe House, he met Clementine Hozier, and in 1908 they were married. They had five children; Diana...

Words: 273 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Political Career of Winston Churchill

...Political Carrer Winston Churchill | | | 11/22/2011 11/22/2011 The Life and Career of Sir Winston Churchill Churchill was involved in every important event of England’s from the Boer War to World War II. He served six British monarchs, from Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II. Through his life he was a statesman, soldier, author, journalist and twice prime minister, Churchill’s career has no parallel in modern history. The Early Years Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, on November 30, 1874. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was a brilliant politician, even though he was one of the most hated. His mother was the American Jennie Jerome. One of his ancestors was John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, a great military hero. Winston Churchill himself showed no early signs of greatness. He was in fact a stubborn, unruly, manipulative, and often difficult red-haired boy and a poor student. He was also given to unpredictable behavior. Before he was even seven years old, it was already clear that he was headstrong, highly opinionated, and virtually impossible to control. He spent four years at Harrow School at the very bottom of his class. However during this time he showed that he had a remarkable memory similar to his father's. He particularly enjoyed English. From early childhood soldiers and warfare fascinated Churchill and he often played with a large collection of lead soldiers in his nursery. His later years at...

Words: 6471 - Pages: 26

Free Essay

Winston Churchill Speech

...Winston Churchill:
 Speech to the V-E Crowds in London (May 8, 1945) My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword (why sword, he just said acient, therefore he by saying sword repeat the old theme) against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year. There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? [The crowd shouted "No."] Were we downhearted? ["No!"] The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, while all the world wondered. When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of English men and women fail? I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we've done and they will say "do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straight forward and die if need be-unconquered." Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle-a terrible foe has been cast on the ground and awaits our judgment and our mercy. But there is another foe who occupies large portions of the British Empire, a foe stained with cruelty...

Words: 402 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

What Is Winston Churchill A Hero

...Winston Churchill was one of the best known political leaders during the 20th century. He was born into privilege life, and devoted himself into population. He has a complicated endowment being that he was a soldier, idealist, orator, and pragmatist. People in Great Britain thought that Winston was a superhero. Winston Churchill was a defender of democracy, and a advocate of progressive. Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace on Novmber30, 1874. Queen Anne gave this home to Churchill’s ancestors. Winston served twice as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He is best known as the leader that led his country to defeat the Nazis during world war 11. He is also known as Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. Churchill became the...

Words: 401 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Churchill: the Man, the Myth, the Legend

...Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, DL, FRS, RA (Knight of the Garter, Order of Merit, Companion of Honor, Territorial Decoration, Deputy Lieutenant, Fellow of the Royal Society, Royal Academian) was a British politician. He was prime minister of the United Kingdom during most of World War II (1940-1945) and again from 1951-1955. His impact on World War II was almost immeasurably huge. He did after all lead the people of Great Britain against the Nazis, without him the Nazis would have been much harder to defeat, not only would Great Britain most likely have been knocked out of the war, the Nazis would have then been able to focus all their attention on the Soviets, which could have then proven too much for the Red Army to Handle. When Great Britain declared war against Germany, Churchill was made First Lord of the Admiralty and a member of the War Cabinet, the same position he had held during the First World War upon being informed of this, the Board of the Admiralty the British Fleet a signal saying “Winston is back”. Churchill Argued for a preemptive occupation of Norway early on in the war, this was however shot down by then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and the rest of the War Cabinet, such action wasn’t taken until after successful German invasion of Norway, an event it seems Churchill saw coming. On May 10, 1940, only hours before the German Blitzkrieg invasion of France, it became painfully obvious that the country had little to no faith...

Words: 1486 - Pages: 6