Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) is considered one of the most influential British statesmen of the 20th century. He was a soldier, a writer and a Conservative politician, and twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; first in 1940-1945 during World War II and then again in 1951-1955. He was a member of parliament (MP) from 1900 to 1964, except for 1922-1924.
Churchill, who ideology adhered to economic liberalism and imperialism, was a member of the Liberal Party in 1904-1924, but otherwise a member of the Conservative Party throughout his political career, and he was the leader of the Conservative Party in 1940-1955.
Early Life and Education
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born on November 30, 1874, at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, into an aristocratic family who had Blenheim as their ancestral home. His father, Lord Randolph Churchill, was a prominent Conservative politician, and had been elected MP for Woodstock in 1874. Churchill’s, Jennie Jerome, was an United States socialite and the daugher of the U.S. businessesman Leonard Jerome. On his father´s side, Churchill descended from John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
In 1876, the family relocated to Dublin, as Churchill’s paternal grandfather had been appointed Viceroy of Ireland, and Randolph became his secretary. Another son, John ”Jack” Churchill, was born to the family in 1880. Winston and Jack were largely cared for by their nanny Elizabeth Everest, and when she died in 1895 it was a great loss to Churchill.
Churchill attended the boarding school St George in Ascot, Berkshire from age 7. After transferring to Brunswick School in Hove, his academic performance got better, and at age 13 he passed the entrance exam for Harrow School. His three final years at Harrow were in the army form, and he was accepted to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on his third try.
Military Service, Journalism and Political Beginnings
Churchill’s early career combined military service and journalism. He saw action in Cuba, India, Sudan, and during the Second Boer War in South Africa, where his daring escape from captivity made him a national hero.
Usings his contacts, Churchill eventually got attached to General Herbert Kitchener’s campaign in the Sudan while also working as a journalist for The Morning Post. After fighting in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, the 21st Lancers were stood down and Churchill returned to England. He eventually resigned from the army as he was critical of Kitchener’s actions, including the horrible treatment of enemy wounded and the desecration of Muhammad Ahmad´s tomb.
Churchill’s experiences in the military and as a journalist had fueled his political ambitions, and he soon entered politics, winning a seat in Parliament as a Conservative MP in 1900. However, he later switched to the Liberal Party in 1904, advocating for social reforms, and remaining with the Liberals until 1924. In H.H. Asquith´s Liberal government, Churchill championed prison reform and worker´s sociak security.
First World War
During World War I, Churchill served as First Lord of the Admiralty, where he was instrumental in modernizing the Royal Navy. However, the disastrous Gallipoli Campaign led to his demotion to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1915, he resigned and joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers, with whom he spent six months on the Western Front.
In 1917, Churchill returned to government under David Looyd George as Minister of Munitions, and later held various positions, including Secretary of State for War and Air and Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Between The Wars
The post-war period saw his return to the Conservative Party, but his political career faced setbacks during the 1920s and 1930s, partly due to his controversial positions on issues like the Indian independence movement and his opposition to the appeasement of Adolf Hitler. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he returned the sterling to the gold standard in 1925, which depressed the British economy.
In the 1930s, Churchill spent his so called ”wilderness years” lobbying for rearmament against Nazi Germany. When his predictions came through and war broke out, he was once again appointed First Lord of the Admiralty.
Leadership During World War II
Churchill’s defining moment came in May 1940, when he became Prime Minister following Neville Chamberlain’s resignation. At a time when Britain stood against Nazi Germany, Churchill’s defiance, oratory, and leadership were crucial in sustaining British morale. His speeches, including “We shall fight on the beaches” and “Their finest hour,” became symbols of resistance. He formed a strong alliance with the United States and the Soviet Union, playing a key role in coordinating the Allied war effort.
Post-War Period
Despite Churchill’s wartime leadership, the Conservatives were defeated in the 1945 general election and Churchill became the leader of the opposition. He spent the next few years warning of the dangers of Soviet expansionism, famously coining the term “Iron Curtain” in 1946. He also wrote several books about his experiences during the war.
Churchill Becomes Prime Minister Again
Churchill returned to power as Prime Minister in 1951, focusing a lot on foreign policy and maintaining Britain’s global influence. It was during his time as PM thats the United Kingdom became a nuclear power.
In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his historical writings, particularly his multi-volume work, “The Second World War.”
Later Life
Churchill resigned from the position of PM in 1955 due to declining health, but was an MP until 1964 and remained an influential figure until his death.
The 90-year-old Churchill passed away on January 24, 1965. His state funeral was one of the largest in British history, reflecting his status as one of Britain’s greatest leaders.
Religion
Winston Churchill was christened in the Church of England as a child, but rejected religion as a young man. In an 1898 letter, he wrote: ”I do not accept the Christian or any other form of religious belief”. In a letter to a cousin, he referred to religion as ”a delicious narcotic” and mentioned that he preferred Protestantism over Roman Catholicism as he felt Protestantism was ”a step nearer Reason”. Later in life, he called himself an agnostic.
Speech Impediment
Churchill became a brilliant orator despite struggling with a speech impediment from childhood. He had a lateral lisp and would pronounce the letter s with a slur. He worked to reduce his lisp by repeating certain phrases and was ultimately rather successful. He even turned the impediment into an asset now and then, e.g. by calling Hitler a ”Nar-zee” instead of a ”Nazi”. With Churchill’s pronunciation, Nar-zee rhymed with khazi, which is British slang for toilet.
Family
In 1908, Churchill married Clementine Hozier. They had five children:
- Diana, born in 1909
- Randolph, born in 1911
- Sarah, born in 1914
- Marigold, born in 1918
- Mary, born in 1922
Soon after the birth of Mary, the Churchills bought Chartwell, a country house in Kent, and it would remain their home until Churchill’s death in 1965. The marriage lasted for 57 years.
Legacy
Winston Churchill is remembered as one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. His leadership during World War II, his powerful oratory, and his contributions to literature have left an indelible mark on history.
In the 21st century, he has recieved more criticism, concerning issues such as his stance regarding race, British Imperialism and women´s right to vote. Yet, he is still celebrated as a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity, with a legacy that continues to inspire leaders around the world.