Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill showing his "V" for victoryhttps://myhero.comMany people love to learn about history, or witness it. Winston Churchill did not. He wanted to be a part of it. Winston Churchill lived through two world wars. He chose to have as big of an impact as he could, helping his country. During his time,Winston Churchill took many roles such as “ War correspondent, World War 1 Army Officer... First Lord of the Admiralty from 1911 to 1915 and 1939 to 1940, Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1924 to 1929, leading opponent in both Nazi Germany and postwar Stalinist Soviet Union, and Prime Minister of the UK from 1940 to 1945 and 1951 and 1955” (Officer, Lawrence). He started the Atlantic Charter, Lend Lease Program, and made many iconic speeches. A hero must strive to improve, to gain the edge, and believe in his own decisions and views. Winston Churchill was innovative and stubborn, therefore he is a  hero.

Winston Churchill firing a Sten Sub-machine gun at an experimental arms facilityhttps://myhero.com/content/images/thumbs/0120937_winston-churchill.jpegDuring his time, Winston Churchill's determination to improve the UK, both in war and at home, was the value he brought to the nation. During WWI, Churchill helped the United Kingdom by bringing new ideas to the table, to possibly give Great Britain the edge needed to achieve victory. In World War I, Churchill brought change, “A new idea was needed. Trishul suggested a metal shield ‘pushed along either on a wheel or still better on a caterpillar.’ By early 1915, he had improved his idea to ‘a number of steam tractors with small  armored shelters, in which men and machine guns would be bulletproof.’ He ordered a ‘land ship’ designed. To keep the project secret, those working on it said they were making water tanks for Russia. The name stuck, and Churchill's new weapon would ever more be known as the tank. In 1919 tank divisions would make the first serious break on the German line” (Lane, 49-50). When something “big” was needed, Churchill was there to get the job done. He was determined to give the UK the edge. He never stopped trying to get the UK through the war in the best shape possible. With his efforts, he saved many lives and even Britain itself during both world wars. His determination to improve the country at times of need made him into a hero. When the UK was losing the edge, Churchill brought the solution. In the second world war, after Germany had taken over the rest of Europe, the UK was alone to stand against the madness. Winston Churchill brought many changes in various roles, for instance, “As president of the Board of Trade, Churchill joined newly appointed Chancellor David Lloyd George in opposing the expansion of the British Navy. He introduced several reforms for the prison system, introduced the first minimum wage, and helped set up labor exchanges and unemployment insurance. Churchill also assisted in the passing of the People's Budget, which introduced taxes on the wealthy to pay for new social welfare programs.……. Named First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911, Churchill helped modernize the British Navy, ordering that new warships be built with oil-fired instead of coal-fired engines. He was one of the first to promote military aircraft and set up the Royal Navy Air Service. He was so enthusiastic about aviation that he took flying lessons to understand firsthand its military potential” (Biography.com). Churchill was not only trying to help Britain in war but also in political deals. During his time as the President of Board of Trade, he created many things that would help Britons for generations. His ideas would also be passed on to all parts of the world, such as minimum wage, which lets people support their families and keep food on the table. When Churchill joined the Board of Trade, he wanted to make an impact; he didn’t want to add little things, but rather the puzzle the government was in. His ideas such as the wealthy paying more tax, are present all over the world today. Churchill’s determination to do good for his country is the reason he is a hero.

Winston Churchill giving a speech in 1939https://myhero.com/content/images/thumbs/0120940_winston-churchill.jpegDue to his stubbornness in his beliefs, Winston Churchill was a hero to all Britons during the world wars. Even when people thought he was crazy, Winston Churchill still made incredibly risky decisions when they were needed. After the success at Dunkirk he said, “Our Army and 120,000 French troops were indeed rescued by the British Navy from Dunkirk but only with the loss of their cannon, vehicles and modern equipment. This loss inevitably took some weeks to repair, and in the first two of those weeks the battle in France has been lost. When we consider the heroic resistance made by the French Army against heavy odds in this battle, the enormous losses inflicted upon the enemy and the evident exhaustion of the enemy, it may well be the thought that these 25 divisions of the best-trained and best-equipped troops might have turned the scale” (Westminster College). People thought his decision at Dunkirk was irrational, bizarre, and even insane, but Winston Churchill did not care. He knew what decisions had to be made, and he did not let other people stop him from following through with his plan. People may not have liked him for this, but it is what got the job done. Churchill made many critical decisions during World War I and II. Many people fought against him, but he did not let them change his decisions as he knew that they would save many lives. He cared more about winning the war than the friends he could have in Parliament. When Parliament was against him, Winston Churchill kept at it. He fought for every person in the building to be on his side. He knew if he was in command, Britain would survive World War II. In Parliament, he said, “‘We have suffered a total and unmitigated defeat.’ Then he continued: ‘And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.’ When a vote on the Munich agreement was taken, 30 conservative members abstained-- a slap at at Chamberlain's government. Even Clement Attlee, the Labour party leader, described Munich as ‘a victory for Brute Force.’ The tide was finally turning in Churchill's favor” (Lane, 74-75). Everyone wanted to sign a treaty with Nazi Germany. Winston Churchill did not. He knew that if a treaty was declared, Britain would fall victim to the Axis powers. It may have taken a while for everyone to believe him, but, in the end, him being immovable in his thoughts was the reason for Britain's survival.Winston Churchill did not budge. That is why Britain was saved. He knew that brute force was the only way to save the country he loved from being destroyed. His strong opinion on going to fight, saved not only his country but its people and so many from other European countries.Without Winston Churchill’s stubbornness in office, World War II would not have been won. For that, Winston Churchill shall be forever declared a hero.

Statue of Winston Churchill in Westminsterhttps://myhero.com/content/images/thumbs/0120941_winston-churchill.jpegWinston Churchill strived for improvement and was harsh in his stands of judgment, therefore, he is hero.  Winston Churchill’s life was all about the World Wars. He wanted to be the man who won. He was always striving for the edge. He wanted to improve Britain to be the best in all categories of war and government, so they could be a force not to be reckoned with. To make change, he had to be harsh. He did not mess around and did not let others pull him down. He was not in government for friends but to create historic change. Churchill played a big part in Britain's history. Lane states, “We all leave footprints on the sands of time. Most are very small. Some are large. Only a few, however, are so huge as to turn the tide of history. These giant footprints most often are observed when, at a crucial time, exactly the right person steps forth. If ever a man met his moment, he was Winston Churchill and 1940. One after another, the nations of Europe had fallen before the armies of Nazi Germany and its leader, Adolf Hitler. Only Great Britain remained, and it, too, seemed certain to be conquered. Certain members of the cabinet, some of the highest officials of the British government, talked of surrender. Churchill, the government's leader as Prime Minister refused to listen. ‘If this Long Island history of ours is to end at last,’ he told the cabinet, ‘Let it end only one each of us lines choking and its own blood upon the ground.’ His  colleagues stood and cheered.Churchill's fighting Spirit rally at his fellow, now known as World War II, was won. The history of the 20th century turned on the years 1940 to 1945, and Churchill dominated those years” (Lane,10). Winston Churchill has inspired all to aspire to achieve what they believe in. He has inspired all by helping so many in a time of need. Winston Churchill had many controversial ideas on how to go about solving problems. Today, his legacy teaches society the value of refusing to surrender, and that the world should use that mentality, not just in war but in all parts of life.

Works Cited

Biography.com. “Winston Churchill.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 20 Nov. 2017,      www.biography.com/people/winston-churchill-9248164

Lace, William W. The Importance of Winston Churchill. Lucent Books, 1995

Officer, Lawrence. "Winston Churchill." History of World Trade Since 1450, edited by John J. McCusker, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. Biography in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K3447600082/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=eb632053. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.

Westminster College. “Winston Churchill's Speeches.”National Churchill Museum | Sir Winston Churchill's Speeches, Westminster College, www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/winston-churchills-speeches.html.