why was winston churchhill important to the course of world war 2

by Brennon Jast 8 min read

Churchill is seen as a victorious wartime leader who played an important role in defending Europe's liberal democracy against the spread of fascism, though some wartime events like the 1945 bombing of Dresden have generated controversy. He was the most important of the Allied leaders during the first half of the Second World War. Contents

As prime minister (1940–45) during most of World War II, Winston Churchill rallied the British people and led the country from the brink of defeat to victory. He shaped Allied strategy in the war, and in the war's later stages he alerted the West to the expansionist threat of the Soviet Union.

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Feb 14, 2019 · Churchill is best remembered for successfully leading Britain through World War Two. He was famous for his inspiring speeches, and for his refusal to give in, even when things were going badly....

What was Winston Churchill famous for?

Churchill is best remembered for successfully leading Britain through World War Two. He was famous for his inspiring speeches, and for his refusal to give in, even when things were going bad ly.

What did Winston Churchill call his depression?

He lived with bouts of depression throughout his life. Churchill called his depression 'the black dog'. His good friend Lord Beaverbrook said Churchill was always either 'at the top of the wheel of confidence or at the bottom of an intense depression.'.

When did Winston Churchill become prime minister?

Churchill lost power after World War Two ended in 1945. But he became prime minister again in 1951, before resigning four years later.

When was Winston Churchill's funeral?

Winston Churchill's state funeral in 1965 . Churchill died on 24 January 1965 and was given a state funeral, an honour saved only for kings and queens, and sometimes other people of the highest national importance. Churchill's funeral was the last state funeral held in Britain. Newsround Home.

What did Winston Churchill say about the war?

Churchill wanted to keep fighting until the end, he said that Britain would go down fighting and no other way . This speech moved the cabinet and Churchill had his needed strong support from his government to continue leading Britain through the war.

How did Winston Churchill influence the war?

Churchill’s influence on the war through the brilliant decisions he made as a leader but also through the connection he made with his people.

What made Winston Churchill a great leader?

As a great leader, his actions of not giving up inspired the Allies to keep fighting the war. As a government leader, he improved the life of the British by establishing useful acts and laws , such as the ‘National Insurance Act of 1911’ and the eight hour workdays. Winston Churchill’s love for Britain turned the country into a strong nation that now have alliances with other powerful nations, allowing them to be able to defeat any country that is threatening to conquer…

What was Churchill's speech to Parliament?

The speech that Churchill gave to Parliament in 1938, proved to be extremely significant as he ultimately predicted the Second World War. Churchill saw that Hitler could not be trusted as Hitler’s objective was to expand Nazi Germany.

What was Churchill's response to Hitler's attack on the Soviet Union?

When Hitler launched his sudden attack on the Soviet Union, Churchill’s response was swift and unequivocal. In a broadcast on June 22, 1941, while refusing to “unsay” any of his earlier criticisms of Communism, he insisted that “the Russian danger…is our danger” and pledged aid to the Russian people. Henceforth, it was his policy to construct a “grand alliance” incorporating the Soviet Union and the United States. But it took until May 1942 to negotiate a 20-year Anglo-Soviet pact of mutual assistance.

When was Winston Churchill's first speech?

Winston Churchill addressing Parliament in his first speech as prime minister, May 13, 1940. Running time, 56 seconds; 3.5 MB. On May 13 Churchill faced the House of Commons for the first time as prime minister.

When did Churchill say the United States and Britain will never cease to persevere?

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressing a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Dec. 26, 1941, declaring that the United States and Britain will “never cease to persevere” against the Japanese empire.

Who was the prime minister of the Low Countries in 1940?

The German invasion of the Low Countries, on May 10, 1940, came like a hammer blow on top of the Norwegian fiasco. Chamberlain resigned. He wanted Lord Halifax, the foreign secretary, to succeed him, but Halifax wisely declined.

What was Winston Churchill known for?

The name Winston Churchill is recognised across the globe as a major political influence throughout World War 2. Born on 30 November 1874, Churchill was a British politician (a member of the Conservative party) and a statesman who was well known for his leadership and the now famous speeches that he made to the people of the United Kingdom during the events of World War 2. Serving as Prime Minister twice (1940–45 and 1951–55),#N#Churchill is now regarded by many people as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century.

When did Winston Churchill leave the government?

His second reign as Prime Minister ended in his resignation in April 1955. After leaving his position as Prime Minister, Churchill spent considerably less time as an active member of parliament until he eventually stood down during the 1964 General Election.

When did Winston Churchill become Prime Minister?

Appointed First Lord of the Admiralty upon the initial outbreak of World War 2 – Churchill became Prime Minister following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain on 10 May 1940.

How old was Winston Churchill when he told his best friend he was going to save England?

He was sixteen years old when he told his best friend at Harrow (Winston Churchill was almost entirely self-educated, owing to the fact that he had to be because he went to Harrow [Laughter]) that there were going to be terrible struggles, great upheavals in his life, in both of their lives, in the life of the nation, and that he was going to be called upon to save England and to save London. Everything that happened to him after that, all the close brushes with death that he had, the many close brushes with death, underpin this sense of personal destiny.

Why was Winston Churchill so broke?

He was almost broke all his life. This was partly his own fault of course. Partly because his parents were spendthrifts. But also because he was easily satisfied, as his great friend, F.E. Smith, said, “with the best of everything.” In his seventies, the first moment in his life that he ever made any money, the first thing he did was to buy the first of thirty-seven race horses. He put his jockeys into his father’s racing colours. The key thing to remember I think in all of this is that you should never see Churchill as the buttoned-up Victorian aristocrat of his age and class and background.

Was Winston Churchill an alcoholic?

But he had this iron constitution for alcohol. Only once in the whole 2194 days of the Second World War was Churchill drunk. It was in a meeting that went on until 3 o’clock in the morning of 7 March 1944., On that occasion what they did was just hold the meeting again the next morning, pretending that the last one hadn’t happened. His friend C.P. Snow said of Churchill that Winston Churchill couldn’t have been an alcoholic, no alcoholic could have drunk that much [Laughter].

Did Winston Churchill have pneumonia?

He had a minor heart flutter in the White House when he was staying for three weeks after Pearl Harbor. He had several bouts of pneumonia. On one occasion, in May 1943 in Carthage, a doctor came to him and asked him for some blood for a testing. Churchill said “yes, you can take some from my ear or my finger.

What battle did the 21st Lancers fight?

In wartime he also took part in the greatest cavalry charge of the British Empire at the battle of Omdurman. No fewer than 25% of his regiment, the 21st Lancers, were either killed or wounded. The following year his armored train was attacked by the Boers in the South African War.

Is it a great honor to be invited to address you?

Ladies and gentlemen , it’s a great honor to be invited to address you, and thank you very much indeed Dr. Arnn for those tremendously kind words. And it’s so wonderful to see quite so many people here as well. I once gave a speech at the Sevenoaks Literary Festival in Kent where fewer people turned up than there were oaks.

What did this extraordinary sense of personal destiny give him?

What this gave him, what this extraordinary sense of personal destiny gave him, was a calmness. An amazing calmness in the greatest and most terrifying, most perilous moments of my country’s history. And he was able to make jokes.

What was Churchill's role in the war?

By successful collaboration with President Franklin Roosevelt, Churchill was able to secure military aid and moral support from the United States. After the Soviet Union and the U.S. entered the war in 1941, Churchill established close ties with leaders of what he called the "Grand Alliance".

When did Winston Churchill die?

Winston Churchill died on January 24, 1965, at the age of 90. Monarchs and Presidents mourned the passing of a leader whose place in history was assured. Churchill entered the service of his country in 1895 as an army lieutenant under Queen Victoria. He ended his career in 1964 as a member of the House of Commons under Queen Elizabeth II, ...

What party did Winston Churchill belong to?

He later switched to the Liberal party in 1904. In 1908, the year of his marriage to Clementine Hosier, he became president of the Board of Trade in the Liberal cabinet. From 1911 to 1915 Churchill served as first lord of the admiralty and vigorously modernized the navy, preparing for war. Churchill's role in World War I was controversial ...

When did Churchill become prime minister?

Churchill succeeded Neville Chamberlain as prime minister on May 10, 1940.

Who said "without victory there is no survival"?

Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. -Winston Churchill, 13 May 1940.

Who said "never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"?

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. -Winston Churchill, 20 August 1940. Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. -Winston Churchill, 29 October 1941.

Who was the greatest statesman in the history of the world?

Sir Winston Churchill was one of the greatest statesmen in all history. Churchill reached the peak of his fame as the heroic prime minister and war leader of Britain during World War II. He became a symbol of hope to the British as they struggled to keep their freedom throughout the war.