World War II
As a result of the war with Germany, Winston Churchill was made Prime Minister of Great Britain in
1940. He acted swiftly, appointing himself Minister of Defense, and putting a newspaper baron, Lord
Beaverbrook, in charge of aircraft production. Beaverbrook's great ability vastly increased the
crucial production of aircraft.
The Great Orator
At this time Churchill's gift for oratory achieved its heights. His speeches as Prime Minister
inspired the British people and have become legend.
The words still ring with strength and vigor: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and
sweat." "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we
shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight
in the hills; we shall never surrender."
"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire
and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour".
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".
The American Connection
Churchill was American on his mother's side and his relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt, the
American President, proved of utmost importance. The USA supplied vital munitions to Britain and
later joined the war.
With Germany beaten, Churchill sought reelection and was surprised to be defeated by an electorate
seeking change. He continued as Leader of the Opposition and busied himself writing, painting and
making speeches.
He spoke in support of pan-europeanisation, world peace and the Soviet threat in his famous "Iron
Curtain" speech whilst a guest of Harry S. Truman, the new American President.
Prime Minister Once More
He returned to power as Prime minister in 1951 and served till resigning in 1955 after a stroke. In
1956 he accepted the Karlspreis Award from the German city of Aachen for contributions to the
European idea and peace.
Later Years
He continued to pursue his literary interests and painting whilst remaining an MP till 1964. He had
been offered a Dukedom but his son persuaded him to turn it down. In 1963, he became the first
person to become an Honorary Citizen of the United States, his mother's country.
There is no doubt that Churchill was an outstanding human being though very much a person of his own
time and class. He had a tough constitution, personal bravery, and a very creative and energetic
mind.
Though prone to bouts of depression, he had boundless enthusiasm for life. It is hard to find anyone
to equal his achievements in so many fields over such a long period of time. He was well worthy of
the title: The Greatest Briton.
"It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations.... The quotations when
engraved upon the memory give you good thoughts." Winston Churchill
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