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The calculating combination of morale, resonantly, negotiability and determination are possibly what made Churchill the rousing leader who led a nation through what he himself described as ‘an ordeal of the most grievous kind. ‘l His military experience from 1895 to 1900 gave him an advantage which put him in great stead for the post he would undertake 40 years later.
By sass’s there was almost no chance of Churchill ever coming to power as he was deemed to be a ‘doddering war mongered’2 however when Britain did enter the war it is evident that: ‘There is no alternative to Windstorm’s since, his achievements eave been hailed endlessly from the only common man to receive a state funeral since Wellington to a statue in Parliament square, the idea of Winston Churchill as a great wartime leader lives on. Churchill speeches to the public became one of the most significant aspects of morale during his wartime leadership. The public fed gratefully upon a substance which gave them a place more glorious than that which in their hearts they felt they deserved’ displays the ways in which Churchill was able to create a feeling of patriotism in such a dark time. However, he did not disguise the threat to the country room the people yet still gave them hope ‘It would be foolish, however, to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage’4.
Churchill courage given to the people during the war inspired a nation and as a result he has been considered Word Count: 363 one of the most influential and significant men in history. Not only did he himself gather a nation, his gratefulness to the people and the men fighting the country humbled not only a Government but the public too; ‘never in the field of conflict was so much owed by so many too fee’s. It is evident that the respect Churchill had as a fellow former member of the military created a trust and admiration for the men who were fighting for Britain.
He met the Ministers of the outer Cabinet on 28th May to win over their support on advances in the War, which he did successfully and followed it with an impassioned speech; ‘if this long island story of ours to end at last let it end when each of us lies choking in his own blood upon the ground’6. This devotion to the country and cause show a real passion for what Churchill believed in and suggests why morale was so high during a time of such devastation in the entry because Churchill himself believed in his nation and their perseverance.
However not all felt that Winston Churchill was the great man that Britain rejoiced for. PM Inherit Bean argues that ‘we see the personality of Winston Churchill prepare on ten array, Adult up In ten press… Many AT ten merles AT ten Prime Molester belong to the office not the man’7. Although Bean was his political rival and it was often critical of Churchill seeing him as an enemy to the working man. Churchill himself also told Harold Macmillan in 1943 that he was not sure history would Judge IM to be a great man but despite this the wealth of support behind his inspiring self written speeches say otherwise.
In order for Churchill to gain the publics favor as well as the Government he had to be intelligent, persuasive and determined all of which would make a good wartime leader. Churchill was described as a ‘Man of push and go’8 which already indicates that he was a determined figure within his Government. It was in the Battle of Britain in 1940 that Churchill refused any mention of compromise with Hitler, as he was not willing to settle for anything short of total victory. Word Count: 775
However cleverly, he was able to divert the challenge of Lord Halifax by suggesting that he was open to a possible compromise of peace although he later dispensed him to Washington. This stubborn image is shown by how he was portrayed in the media as a British Bulldog; strong and a symbol of everything English. However, Churchill bold and brash behavior wasn’t always deemed suitable. Chamberlain famously remarked that ‘talking to Churchill was like talking to a brass bandy. Even when in office, Churchill also was renowned for staying in bed until the middle of the day and making his staff wait until he was ready.
However attitudes did change towards the man that was deemed to be too outlandish for the public, ‘From being considered a doddering war mongered, he was now called a man of vision and whose voice should be listened to’10. There was no doubt in the public or Government’s mind that Churchill was a strong and resolute leader that a country in wartime so desperately needed. Not only was he admired by the public but also by most of his colleagues for his devotion and passion for his Job. Field Marshall Alan Brooke the head of the armed services in 1941 said ‘l thank God that I was given the opportunity f working alongside such a man… Paving my eyes opened to the fact that occasionally such supermen exist on this earth’11. Although in contrast, his staff also resented him for the hours they were made to work till, his chief of staff remarked that Churchill had ten ideas idea, one good and nine bad’12 Churchill did in fact have a genuine care for his country and when he spoke of ‘we would rather see London laid in ruins and ashes than that it should be tamely and abjectly enslaved’13 he meant so with passion and pride but it could also suggest that his determination was not far from a hunger for war at any cost.
Word Count: 1,128 A leader’s ability to negotiate both in internal and external affairs can dictate their success. Churchill negotiation as a wartime leader is questionable, when he felt that there was no room for discussion he made it very clear to all: one of the most vital moments during the war where this happened was when it came to talks with Germany and Churchill effectively ended Halifax campaign for peace talks. ‘Churchill issued a statement to the whole Government and civil service urging all to show Hitler nothing but defiance’14 For Churchill this may have been one of the most important victories during his war-time leadership.
The message of non-negotiability was sent worldwide from Churchill speech to the House of Commons We shall prove ourselves once gall… Ana to outlive ten menace AT tyranny… We snail go on to the end… We shall fight on the beaches, we shall never surrender’1 5. This displayed Churchill not only as a strong leader but a nation united as one against the Nazis. Relationships are vital within negotiations during wartime and as a result the Grand Alliance between the Soviets, Americans and Britain was created.
Churchill stated after the German invasion of the Soviet Union ‘The Russian danger… Is our danger’ and he pledged to help the Russian people. Churchill often worked tirelessly throughout the war to build strong relations with US president Roosevelt while relations often proved difficult with the Soviet Union especially at the Yalta conference where Churchill appeared to leave with none of the conditions he wanted. For example free and fair elections in Eastern Europe.
Churchill and Roosevelt however had a much different relationship, ‘l felt I was in contact with a ere great man who was also a warm hearted friend and the foremost champion of the high causes which we served’16 which shows the high regard Churchill had for Roosevelt who also had the same warmth for his ally ‘It is fun to be in the same decade with you’17. But at what cost did this relationship come to Britain at? From 1941-45, Churchill had fought for Europe to be free but by 1945 less than half of it was free than before Word Count: 1,530 the war in 1939.
Thus leaving half of Europe in the communist shadow which Churchill despised, he had fought to retain British independence yet had become an American Satellite’18 the British were compared to that of the Greeks to the Romans purely as a ‘comforter’. As a consequence it may be seen that Churchill was more of a fool when it came to foreign affairs used by the American government and subjugated by the USSR. Churchill determination was not a result of wanting to stay in Government or to save his own pride.
Churchill is the epitome of a determined leader and it shows in every light of his leadership. Churchill said ‘Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror’19 which is both the view he wanted to send to the public and to his armed roses but it is the belief he held himself personally. It could be said that without the full undivided public support that his determination may have not been so great. However after stating his wartime aims, ‘not once in the next five years did he deviate from his goal or from his determination to achieve it’20.