Winston Churchill's Altered Statesmanship: A Source of Inspiration and Controversy
Altered Statesmen Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He was a statesman, a soldier, a writer, an orator, and a painter. He served as the prime minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955. He rallied the British people during their darkest hour and led them to victory against Nazi Germany. He also shaped the postwar world order by forging a strong alliance with the United States and warning against the expansionist threat of the Soviet Union. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of all time and one of the greatest Britons who ever lived.
Altered Statesmen Winston Churchill
But what made Winston Churchill an altered statesman? How did he rise from a troubled childhood and a turbulent political career to become a world-historical figure? What were his achievements and challenges as a leader, a writer, and a human being? In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of Winston Churchill, the man who changed the course of history.
Early life and career
Childhood and education
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born on November 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, England. He was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill, a prominent Conservative politician, and Jennie Jerome, an American socialite. He was also a direct descendant of John Churchill, the first duke of Marlborough, who was a famous military commander in the 18th century.
Churchill had a lonely and unhappy childhood. He was neglected by his parents, who were often away or busy with their own affairs. He was sent to boarding schools at an early age, where he struggled academically and suffered from bullying. He had a rebellious and independent streak, which often got him into trouble. He also developed a lifelong stutter and a lisp, which he tried to overcome by practicing speech.
Churchill had a keen interest in history, literature, and military affairs. He read voraciously and wrote stories and poems. He also showed an early talent for painting, which became his lifelong hobby. He admired his father, who was a brilliant orator and a charismatic leader, but also feared his harsh criticism and temper. He had a closer relationship with his mother, who was beautiful, charming, and adventurous, but also felt that she favoured his younger brother, Jack.
Churchill attended Harrow School from 1888 to 1892. He did poorly in most subjects except English and history. He also excelled in fencing and horse riding. He joined the Harrow Rifle Corps and developed a passion for military service. He decided to pursue a career in the army, but failed the entrance exam for the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, twice. He finally passed on his third attempt and entered Sandhurst in 1893.
Military service and journalism
Churchill graduated from Sandhurst in 1894 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, a cavalry regiment. He saw his first action in Cuba in 1895, where he observed the Cuban War of Independence as a military observer and a journalist. He wrote articles for the Daily Graphic, which marked the beginning of his career as a war correspondent.
Churchill was eager to see more action and to make a name for himself. He sought and obtained leave to fight in various conflicts around the world. He fought in India in 1897, where he took part in the Malakand Field Force and wrote his first book, The Story of the Malakand Field Force. He fought in Sudan in 1898, where he participated in the Battle of Omdurman and wrote his second book, The River War. He fought in South Africa in 1899, where he was captured by the Boers during a scouting mission and made a daring escape. He wrote his third book, London to Ladysmith via Pretoria, and became a national hero.
Churchill returned to England in 1900 and embarked on a lecture tour. He also decided to enter politics, following his father's footsteps. He ran as a Conservative candidate for Oldham, a constituency in Lancashire, but lost by a narrow margin. He ran again in 1900 and won a seat in the House of Commons. He was one of the youngest members of parliament at the age of 25.
Entry into politics
Churchill soon established himself as a rising star in the Conservative Party. He was an eloquent and witty speaker, who could captivate and entertain his audiences. He was also an ambitious and independent-minded politician, who was not afraid to challenge the party line or to switch sides when he felt it was necessary. He was influenced by his father's political views, which were liberal and reformist, but also pragmatic and imperialist.
Churchill's first major political issue was the tariff reform. He opposed the proposal of Joseph Chamberlain, the leader of the Conservative Party, to impose tariffs on imported goods to protect British industry and to fund social welfare. Churchill argued that free trade was essential for the prosperity and security of Britain and its empire. He also feared that tariffs would alienate Britain from its allies and rivals, especially Germany. He broke with the Conservative Party over this issue and joined the Liberal Party in 1904.
Churchill's defection to the Liberals was a bold and risky move, but it paid off when the Liberals won a landslide victory in the 1906 general election. Churchill retained his seat for Oldham and was appointed as the undersecretary of state for the colonies by Prime Minister Henry Campbell-Bannerman. He worked under the supervision of Lord Elgin, the secretary of state for the colonies, and dealt with various colonial issues, such as the self-government of Transvaal and Orange River Colony in South Africa, the status of Egypt and Sudan, and the administration of Nigeria and Uganda.
In 1908, Churchill was promoted to the president of the Board of Trade by Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. He introduced several reforms to improve the working conditions and welfare of workers, such as the Trade Boards Act, which set minimum wages for certain industries, and the Labour Exchanges Act, which established employment offices to help workers find jobs. He also supported David Lloyd George, the chancellor of the exchequer, in his controversial budget of 1909, which proposed higher taxes on land and income to fund social programs.
World War I and interwar years
First Lord of the Admiralty and Gallipoli campaign
In 1911, Churchill was appointed as the first lord of the admiralty by Prime Minister Asquith. He was responsible for overseeing the Royal Navy, which was the largest and most powerful navy in the world at that time. He initiated several reforms to modernize and strengthen the navy, such as increasing naval spending, building more battleships and submarines, creating a naval air service, and improving training and morale.
Churchill also prepared the navy for a possible war with Germany, which was rapidly expanding its naval force and challenging Britain's naval supremacy. He developed a naval strategy that aimed to blockade Germany's ports and cut off its trade and supplies, while protecting Britain's trade routes and colonies around the world. He also established a close cooperation with France's navy, which was Britain's main ally in Europe.
Minister of Munitions and Secretary of State for War and Air
Churchill's reputation suffered a severe blow after the failure of the Gallipoli campaign. He was widely blamed for the disaster and forced to resign from his post as the first lord of the admiralty in May 1915. He remained in the cabinet as the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, but had little influence or responsibility. He felt frustrated and depressed, and decided to return to active military service. He joined the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the Western Front in November 1915, where he commanded a company of men and fought in several battles. He wrote about his experiences in his fourth book, The World Crisis.
Churchill returned to England in March 1916 and resumed his political career. He was appointed as the minister of munitions by Prime Minister David Lloyd George in July 1917. He was responsible for overseeing the production and supply of weapons and ammunition for the British forces. He introduced several reforms and innovations to improve the efficiency and quality of the munitions industry, such as standardizing designs, expanding factories, recruiting women workers, and using new technologies.
In January 1919, Churchill was appointed as the secretary of state for war and air by Prime Minister Lloyd George. He was responsible for demobilizing the British army and air force after the end of World War I. He also dealt with various postwar issues, such as the Irish War of Independence, the Russian Civil War, the Chanak Crisis, and the Greco-Turkish War. He supported the use of air power to suppress rebellions in Iraq and Afghanistan, which earned him criticism from some quarters. He also advocated for a strong and independent Royal Air Force, which he regarded as a vital component of Britain's defence.
Chancellor of the Exchequer and return to Conservative Party
In October 1922, Churchill was appointed as the chancellor of the exchequer by Prime Minister Bonar Law. He rejoined the Conservative Party, which had won a majority in the general election that month. He was responsible for managing Britain's finances and economy in a difficult period of postwar reconstruction and recovery. He faced several challenges, such as high unemployment, low productivity, social unrest, and international debts.
One of Churchill's most controversial decisions as chancellor was to restore Britain's currency to the gold standard in 1925. He believed that this would restore Britain's prestige and stability in international trade and finance. However, this also meant that Britain had to maintain a high exchange rate for its pound sterling, which made its exports more expensive and less competitive. This hurt Britain's industries, especially coal mining, which suffered from low demand and high costs. This led to a series of strikes by miners and other workers, culminating in the General Strike of 1926.
Churchill opposed the General Strike, which he regarded as a threat to democracy and order. He took a hard-line stance against the strikers, whom he denounced as revolutionaries and traitors. He also edited a government newspaper, The British Gazette, which defended the government's position and attacked the Labour Party and trade unions. He supported the use of force to break up the strike, which lasted for nine days and ended in defeat for the workers.
Churchill's policies as chancellor were unpopular with many people, especially in his own constituency of Dundee, where he had been elected as a Liberal in 1908. He lost his seat in the 1922 general election, but regained it in a by-election in 1924. However, he lost it again in the 1929 general election, which also saw the Conservatives lose their majority to Labour. Churchill became a backbencher and spent most of his time writing his fifth book, A History of English-Speaking Peoples.
World War II and prime ministership
Opposition leader and critic of appeasement
Churchill spent most of the 1930s in political isolation and obscurity. He was regarded as a has-been by many of his colleagues and opponents, who dismissed his views as outdated and eccentric. He was also distrusted by some Conservative leaders, who saw him as a troublemaker and a maverick.
However, Churchill was one of the few politicians who recognized the growing threat of Nazi Germany and its leader, Adolf Hitler. He warned against the dangers of German rearmament, territorial expansion, and ideological aggression. He criticized the policy of appeasement, which aimed to avoid war by making concessions to Germany. He opposed the Munich Agreement of 1938, which allowed Germany to annex part of Czechoslovakia. He declared that Britain and France had chosen "dishonour" over "war" and that they would have both in the end.
Churchill's warnings proved to be prophetic when Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, triggering World War II. Britain and France declared war on Germany, but were unprepared and ill-equipped for the conflict. Churchill was recalled to the cabinet by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain as the first lord of the admiralty, the same post he had held at the start of World War I. He resumed his responsibility for the Royal Navy, which faced a formidable challenge from Germany's U-boats and surface raiders.
Prime Minister and leader of the wartime coalition
In May 1940, the war situation worsened for Britain and its allies. Germany launched a blitzkrieg (lightning war) against France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, which quickly collapsed under the German onslaught. Britain was left alone to face Germany, which threatened to invade across the English Channel. Chamberlain's government was blamed for the military disasters and lost confidence in parliament. Chamberlain resigned as prime minister and was succeeded by Churchill, who was the only acceptable candidate for both the Conservatives and the opposition parties.
Churchill became the prime minister and the leader of a national coalition government on May 10, 1940. He formed a war cabinet that included representatives from all major parties, such as Clement Attlee (Labour), Anthony Eden (Conservative), and Archibald Sinclair (Liberal). He also appointed himself as the minister of defence, giving him direct control over all military operations.
Churchill faced a daunting task as prime minister. He had to rally the British people to resist Nazi tyranny and to fight for their survival and freedom. He had to mobilize Britain's resources and industries for total war. He had to coordinate Britain's strategy and diplomacy with its allies, especially France and later the United States and the Soviet Union. He had to deal with various challenges and crises at home and abroad, such as the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, the Battle of the Atlantic, the North African Campaign, the Battle of El Alamein, the Italian Campaign, D-Day, the Battle of Normandy, the V-1 and V-2 attacks, and the Yalta Conference.
Churchill proved to be an inspirational and charismatic leader, who embodied Britain's spirit and will during its darkest hour. He was a master of words, who used his speeches and broadcasts to communicate his vision and message to his people and to the world. He was also a man of action, who travelled extensively to visit his troops and his allies, often at great personal risk. He was a visionary strategist, who conceived and executed bold plans to achieve his military and political objectives. He was also a pragmatic realist, who adapted to changing circumstances and made difficult decisions when necessary.
Relations with Roosevelt and Stalin
One of Churchill's most important achievements as prime minister was to forge a strong alliance with the United States and its president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Churchill recognized that Britain could not defeat Germany alone and that it needed American support and intervention. He cultivated a close personal friendship with Roosevelt, who shared his views on democracy and freedom. He used his charm and persuasion to convince Roosevelt to provide Britain with financial and material aid under the Lend-Lease program. He also worked with Roosevelt to establish a common strategy and vision for the war and the postwar world order.
the Atlantic Charter, which outlined their common principles and goals for the postwar world, such as self-determination, free trade, disarmament, and collective security. They also agreed to seek no territorial gains from the war and to respect the rights of all peoples to choose their own form of government.
Churchill also developed a pragmatic and cordial relationship with the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. Churchill was initially wary of the Soviet Union, which had signed a non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in 1939 and invaded Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states. However, when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Churchill offered his support and assistance to Stalin, recognizing that they had a common enemy and that the Soviet Union bore the brunt of the war against Germany. He declared that he would "unsay no word that I have spoken about Communism" and that "any man or state who fights against Nazidom will have our aid."
Churchill met Stalin for the first time in August 1942 in Moscow. They discussed their respective war efforts and strategies, as well as their differences and grievances. They agreed to launch a second front in Europe as soon as possible to relieve the pressure on the Soviet Union. They also agreed to cooperate on the war against Japan after Germany's defeat. They established a personal rapport and mutual respect, despite their ideological and political differences.
Churchill met Roosevelt and Stalin together for the first time in November 1943 in Tehran, Iran. They formed the "Big Three" alliance that would lead the Allied powers to victory. They discussed their plans for the invasion of Normandy, codenamed Operation Overlord, which was scheduled for June 1944. They also discussed their postwar spheres of influence and policies toward Germany and Eastern Europe.
Postwar years and second term as prime minister
Leader of the opposition and Iron Curtain speech
Churchill's popularity and prestige as a wartime leader did not translate into electoral success in peacetime. In July 1945, shortly after Germany's surrender, Britain held its first general election since 1935. Churchill campaigned for his Conservative Party, which advocated a free-market economy and a strong national defence. However, he faced a strong challenge from Clement Attlee's Labour Party, which promised social reforms and a welfare state. Churchill also made some blunders during the campaign, such as accusing Labour of planning to impose a "Gestapo" on Britain.
The election results were a shock to Churchill and many observers. Labour won a landslide victory, securing 393 seats to the Conservatives' 213. Churchill resigned as prime minister and became the leader of the opposition. He congratulated Attlee on his victory and pledged to work with him for the common good of Britain.
Churchill remained active and influential in domestic and international affairs. He continued to write his memoirs of World War II, which were published in six volumes between 1948 and 1954. He also travelled extensively to visit his friends and allies around the world. He maintained a close friendship with Roosevelt's successor, Harry S. Truman, who shared his concerns about the Soviet threat.
In March 1946, Churchill delivered one of his most famous speeches at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, with Truman in attendance. He warned that an "iron curtain" had descended across Europe, dividing it into two hostile blocs: the democratic West and the communist East. He called for a "fraternal association" of English-speaking peoples and a "special relationship" between Britain and America to counter the Soviet menace. He also advocated for European unity and cooperation to prevent another war.
Churchill's speech was widely praised in Britain and America, but also criticized by some as warmongering and anti-Soviet. Stalin denounced Churchill as a "warmonger" and accused him of trying to revive Anglo-American imperialism. Churchill's speech m