First and Second Term as Prime Minister
FIRST TERM
Winston Churchill was first appointed as prime minister on May 10, 1940, after Neville Chamberlain resigned his position hours before Germany invaded France. Despite his new position, Churchill was very unpopular among the Conservatives and the Establishment (the centers of power, including leading politicians, judges, and the Monarchy). The British public originally wished for a negotiated peace with Germany, but Churchill refused to consider an armistice. Instead, he created and took the position of Minister of Defense. With this new power under his control, Churchill was considered "the most powerful wartime prime minister in British history." He quickly appointed Lord Beaverbrook in charge of air craft production and engineering, which made a crucial difference in the war. Churchill did not rest, and continued to have a positive, energetic outlook toward the war. His enthusiasm transmitted to the people and prepared them to fight this long, battle against Germany. As prime minister, he made many powerful speeches to the House of Commons and to the people, including one famously known as "We shall fight on the beaches" (click link for Beaches below) which encouraged the country to engage in the war effort without surrendering.
Churchill's relations with the United States and President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped him gain strength as a leader. Upon re-election, Roosevelt persuaded Congress to provide military hardware and shipping to Britain without payment because the benefit would be the protection of the United States. However, in 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, devastating the United States. Churchill's initial reaction was his statement "We have won the war," because the U.S would be the power that would push them to victory in Europe. Churchill was so dedicated to the war and his victory that he continued to travel around the globe to meet with other national leaders, even after he had multiple heart attacks in 1941 and 1943 when he got pneumonia. In 1944, Roosevelt and Churchill met at the Second Quebec Conference, where they drafted and signed a pledge to convert Germany "into a country primarily agricultural and pastoral in its character" after they unconditionally surrender.
Churchill even upheld relations with the Soviet Union, even though he strongly disliked Joseph Stalin. Nonetheless, his passionate anti-communist beliefs were stronger than his dislike for Stalin. Therefore, he chose one evil over the other and sided with Stalin in order to stop Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Churchill's physical support came with a plethora of British supplies and tanks to help the Soviets fight Germany.
The war in Europe officially ended on May 8, 1945 which was declared Victory in Europe Day. Churchill finally announced the surrender of Germany and the cease fire on all European fronts. Churchill soon later, being the war-crazy leader he was, ordered a new plan of attack on the Soviet troops on July 1, 1945 in his plan termed Operation Unthinkable. This plan of attack could have started World War III, but the British Chief of Staff Committee rejected the idea before any chaos broke loose.
Winston Churchill was first appointed as prime minister on May 10, 1940, after Neville Chamberlain resigned his position hours before Germany invaded France. Despite his new position, Churchill was very unpopular among the Conservatives and the Establishment (the centers of power, including leading politicians, judges, and the Monarchy). The British public originally wished for a negotiated peace with Germany, but Churchill refused to consider an armistice. Instead, he created and took the position of Minister of Defense. With this new power under his control, Churchill was considered "the most powerful wartime prime minister in British history." He quickly appointed Lord Beaverbrook in charge of air craft production and engineering, which made a crucial difference in the war. Churchill did not rest, and continued to have a positive, energetic outlook toward the war. His enthusiasm transmitted to the people and prepared them to fight this long, battle against Germany. As prime minister, he made many powerful speeches to the House of Commons and to the people, including one famously known as "We shall fight on the beaches" (click link for Beaches below) which encouraged the country to engage in the war effort without surrendering.
Churchill's relations with the United States and President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped him gain strength as a leader. Upon re-election, Roosevelt persuaded Congress to provide military hardware and shipping to Britain without payment because the benefit would be the protection of the United States. However, in 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, devastating the United States. Churchill's initial reaction was his statement "We have won the war," because the U.S would be the power that would push them to victory in Europe. Churchill was so dedicated to the war and his victory that he continued to travel around the globe to meet with other national leaders, even after he had multiple heart attacks in 1941 and 1943 when he got pneumonia. In 1944, Roosevelt and Churchill met at the Second Quebec Conference, where they drafted and signed a pledge to convert Germany "into a country primarily agricultural and pastoral in its character" after they unconditionally surrender.
Churchill even upheld relations with the Soviet Union, even though he strongly disliked Joseph Stalin. Nonetheless, his passionate anti-communist beliefs were stronger than his dislike for Stalin. Therefore, he chose one evil over the other and sided with Stalin in order to stop Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Churchill's physical support came with a plethora of British supplies and tanks to help the Soviets fight Germany.
The war in Europe officially ended on May 8, 1945 which was declared Victory in Europe Day. Churchill finally announced the surrender of Germany and the cease fire on all European fronts. Churchill soon later, being the war-crazy leader he was, ordered a new plan of attack on the Soviet troops on July 1, 1945 in his plan termed Operation Unthinkable. This plan of attack could have started World War III, but the British Chief of Staff Committee rejected the idea before any chaos broke loose.
IN BETWEEN TERMS
In the election of 1945, Winston Churchill was defeated by a landslide by Clement Attlee's Labour Party. After the war, the public wanted reform and peace, which seemed to be the opposite of what Churchill would have done with the country, given his war-hungry background. Churchill was still determined to maintain some power despite his loss and old age, and he became the Leader of the Opposition, which is the leader of the second largest political party in the House of Commons and is treated as the alternative prime minister. During these six years, Churchill remained indelved in foreign affairs and even addressed a rising concern known as the Iron Curtain. During one of his trips to the United States, he gave yet another powerful speech on the issue of this Iron Curtain (video placed below). Winston Churchill also strongly fought for independence from the alleged "Franco-German" European Coal and Steel Community, which was an international organization that was made to unify European countries.
In the election of 1945, Winston Churchill was defeated by a landslide by Clement Attlee's Labour Party. After the war, the public wanted reform and peace, which seemed to be the opposite of what Churchill would have done with the country, given his war-hungry background. Churchill was still determined to maintain some power despite his loss and old age, and he became the Leader of the Opposition, which is the leader of the second largest political party in the House of Commons and is treated as the alternative prime minister. During these six years, Churchill remained indelved in foreign affairs and even addressed a rising concern known as the Iron Curtain. During one of his trips to the United States, he gave yet another powerful speech on the issue of this Iron Curtain (video placed below). Winston Churchill also strongly fought for independence from the alleged "Franco-German" European Coal and Steel Community, which was an international organization that was made to unify European countries.
SECOND TERM AS PRIME MINISTER
Winston Churchill was re-elected as prime minister in 1951. Unfortunately, Great Britain was on a decline along with its military and imperial power. For this reason, much of Churchill's last term as prime minister was overshadowed by foreign policy crises and Churchill's responses to the declining power of Britain were mainly with that of direct action. While demonstrating this "direct action," Churchill sent a group of troops to Kenya to fight in the Mau Mau Rebellion, which was a military conflict from 1952 to 1960. Churchill also used direct military action soon after in Malaya when some rebellious Malayans went against British rule and started the Malayan Emergency. The British stopped the rebellion by using military force on those who rebelled and befriending those who sided with Britain. Despite these attempts to hold on to imperialistic power, the British were still slowly losing power. Even the special relationship between Britain and the United States wasn't as strong since Eisenhower was now in power and Churchill was not very fond of him. Churchill's run as prime minister soon came to an end in 1955, when he resigned after he had a small stroke followed by a larger stroke that affected his speech and walk and therefore his ability to lead as a prime minister.
Winston Churchill was re-elected as prime minister in 1951. Unfortunately, Great Britain was on a decline along with its military and imperial power. For this reason, much of Churchill's last term as prime minister was overshadowed by foreign policy crises and Churchill's responses to the declining power of Britain were mainly with that of direct action. While demonstrating this "direct action," Churchill sent a group of troops to Kenya to fight in the Mau Mau Rebellion, which was a military conflict from 1952 to 1960. Churchill also used direct military action soon after in Malaya when some rebellious Malayans went against British rule and started the Malayan Emergency. The British stopped the rebellion by using military force on those who rebelled and befriending those who sided with Britain. Despite these attempts to hold on to imperialistic power, the British were still slowly losing power. Even the special relationship between Britain and the United States wasn't as strong since Eisenhower was now in power and Churchill was not very fond of him. Churchill's run as prime minister soon came to an end in 1955, when he resigned after he had a small stroke followed by a larger stroke that affected his speech and walk and therefore his ability to lead as a prime minister.
"Winston Churchill." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
"Winston Churchill." Winston Churchill. N.p., 2006. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
"Winston Churchill." Winston Churchill. N.p., 2006. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.