Winston Churchill: Shrewd, Smart, and Cunning Leader

It was probably because of this man that the Allies won WWII. His efforts were unparalleled and so was his spirit. The ideal conservative statesman of the 20th century, Churchill made a lasting impression upon the people of Europe and the rest of the world. Churchill started out in the military, first as a Calvary officer, then as an admiral, and then as a Secretary of War for Great Britain. At age 26, Churchill was elected to Parliament. He was a good soldier, but in his policies as a military officer and as a Member of Parliament, he relied too heavily upon the navy and almost ended up tossing his whole career. However, he came back doing jobs for the people and parties holding majorities in office and in Parliament. In years to come to regain his support base. It was in that way that he was able to participate in politics once again. One of his major contributions was not in the field of politics but in literature. His "The History of the Second World War" won him a Nobel Prize in literature. He was a man of many sides. In the beginning, Churchill tried so hard to be better than his father, who had been a brilliant politician but a failure nonetheless. He soon turned this negative energy into positive by realizing that he had to revere his father and try to regain his father's honor in Parliament. When France fell, Churchill was put in as premier. He rejected Hitler's offers of peace because he knew better than to trust Hitler. But at this point Britain stood alone in Europe against the surging Germans. So in response Churchill organized an air defense that eventually led to the victory of the Battle of Britain. But Britain could not win alone, and Churchill (who was half American born) hoped for US intervention to change the outcome of the war. When the attack on Pearl Harbor placed the Americans in WWII, Churchill knew that there was hope. It was because of Churchill that the allies were able to win WWII. He spent most of his time going between and setting up meetings with Stalin and Roosevelt. It was because of his determination and tenacity that the Allies had the energy to withstand Hitler's armies. During his meetings with the Big Three, he was able to play diplomat and put the differences of all three major Allies at rest for the time being. Churchill gave the world reason to once again have faith in democracy and to abandon fear in "our finest hour". § by Welton Chang       Go back to main page