Winston Churchill

In March of 1941, the American people were introduced to an inspiring war hero, Captain America. Captain America was the embodiment of everything American at the time: determined, caring, and fighting for democracy in World War II. Just as Captain America inspired the American people, other real life heroes have inspired their citizens or peers in World War II and throughout history. Unlike with super heroes, characters and actions define real life heroes. First, a hero must be inspiring, or must have enough influence on others to make them share a goal. Without inspiring qualities, one will be rendered obsolete with no followers. Inspiring traits, and thus the defining qualities of a hero, can be further simplified into the characteristics of determination and caring. Without some determination, how can anyone achieve anything worth holding in high regard or idolizing? Additionally, any hero must care for the people he protects or leads, as nobody takes inspiration from an oppressor. Simply put, a hero is an inspiration who must be determined to achieve his goals and care for the population that he inspires and protects.

Churchill giving a speechhttps://whowaswinstonchurchill.com/churchill-speech/454/While Captain America was the hero of the country for which he was named, a different figure served as Britain’s inspiration in their darkest hours, but this already-inspiring man didn't need any superpowers. Winston Churchill, a British-born former army officer who went on to work in journalism and politics, was an important figure in Britain before World War II even began. A valiant leader in opposition to socialist and extremist policies, Churchill found himself appointed Prime Minister, as nobody harbored as much resentment for fascism and Nazism as he did. Ultimately, he created a government dedicated to defeating Germany, and both saved the Soviet Union (an ally at the time) with an attack in the Mediterranean and held off a German assault on his own country until the Nazis declared war on America, their worst tactical blunder that would lead to the fall of Hitler’s regime. As stated above, any hero requires determination to achieve his goals or he will never do anything of importance, and care for his people or he can never be an inspiration to them. Churchill’s determination to be victorious in the second World War and representation of the British public with genuine care demonstrate that he should be regarded as an inspiration to all.

Churchill’s refusal of peace treaties and unconventional tactics show that he never gives up. Secondary sources attest to the great lengths Churchill went in defeating his greatest enemy, the Nazis:

Churchill was not just determined that England would survive the war: he wanted to win. Confident that Germany would be unable to conquer England while the air force was still fighting, he sent the navy around to the Mediterranean. His plan worked. By trouncing the Italians, he had split Hitler’s forces, making them unable to completely defeat the Russians. This strategy bought time while Churchill waited for the Americans to enter the war. (Forester)

As Matt Forester, a historian of World War II, explains, Churchill, in a sizeable risk for his country, took his navy to Italy to indirectly help the Russians. His strategy could have spelled the end of Britain if Hitler invaded in the next few months, making it a risk that only a determined leader would take. Additionally, Hitler had already offered peace with Britain, making Churchill’s decision all the bolder, as peace talks would have been easy. Without this decision, it is almost certain that Russia, defending the full force of Germany’s army, would have fallen, so Churchill’s decision saved Eastern Europe. Churchill was also very frank that Britain would need perseverance, and even admitted that the losses might be more than his country could bear, but still kept fighting:

On May 13 Churchill faced the House of Commons for the first time as prime minister. He warned members of the hard road ahead—’I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat’—and committed himself and the nation to all-out war until victory was achieved. Behind this simplicity of aim lay an elaborate strategy to which he adhered with remarkable consistency throughout the war. Hitler's Germany was the enemy; nothing should distract the entire British people from the task of effecting its defeat. Anyone who shared this goal, even a Communist, was an acceptable ally. (Nicholas)

Churchill himself said that there was “nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat,” but was still committed wholeheartedly to the defeat of Germany, accepting anyone as an ally to his cause. Churchill even called the Soviets an ally in the Second World War despite his resentment for communism, which was almost as extreme as his resentment for fascism. Clearly, Churchill’s perseverance in the face of struggle and prioritization of the Nazi’s defeat above all other causes make his determination to defeat Hitler one of his most heroic traits.

Aside from his status as a legendary war leader, Churchill also had genuine care while representing his people. The first example of this is an excerpt from "Winston Churchill on Liberalism and Socialism," an article Churchill wrote:

They wish to reconstruct the world. They begin by leaving out human nature. 'Equality of reward, irrespective of service rendered'—is not this their maxim? It is expressed in other ways. You know the phrase, 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.' How nice that sounds. Let me put it another way. 'You shall work according to your fancy; you shall be paid according to your appetite.' Although I have tried my very best to understand these propositions, I have never been able to imagine the mechanical heart in the Socialist world which is to replace the ordinary human heart that palpitates in our breasts. (Churchill)

Churchill describes true socialism as mutually exclusive with human nature. While America perceived socialism as an enemy to itself or as a failed economic system, Churchill saw it as a danger to the prosperity of people, and addressed it as such when bringing it up in speeches, appealing to pathos when he talks about “the human heart that palpitates in our breasts.” His appeal to the interests of his people instead of the financial implications of such a system shows his genuine care for the people of Britain and isn’t simply trying to keep popularity. Another instance of Churchill’s concern for his people is when he addresses the poor state of post-war Britain: “Because you see the 46 millions in our island harassed about their food supply, of which they only grow one half, even in war-time, or because we have difficulty in restarting our industries and export trade after six years of passionate war effort, do not suppose we shall not come through these dark years of privation as we have come through the glorious years of agony (Churchill).” In this excerpt, Churchill brings up the devastation that war has caused in his own country, something leaders before Churchill were quick to overlook because of their apathy towards their own peoples’ conditions. He mentions the state of the common man in a highly important speech, and because Prime Minister is an appointed position, need not have in order to retain office. This further illustrates that Churchill’s concern for his people was genuine. From his style of hating socialism to his mention of British food stocks, Churchill, in addition to being an excellent strategist, was a leader with a very deep and genuine concern for his people’s welfare.

Without a doubt, Churchill’s determination to defeat enemies like Hitler and representation of his people rather than his own interests make him an irreplaceable role model for Great Britain. Everything from Churchill’s speeches to his actions reflect both determination to win a long and bloody war and care for the people fighting. His famous Iron Curtain speech addresses the needs of millions of starving Brits, and his article against Socialism concerns not economics, but people’s welfare. Aside from his own writings, countless others have contributed to the idea that Churchill was one of the greatest heroes of all time with their entries in magazines or encyclopedias. Churchill’s rhetoric may inspire anyone, as it uses solid reasoning and often favors the ordinary citizen. As if his speeches and writings are not enough, his actions are perhaps a larger tribute to his heroic nature: Churchill’s stratagems arguably saved Europe’s freedom. His valiant war leadership and list of held political offices should be enough to earn the respect of anyone, as well as his determined and caring behaviors within those positions. While Americans looked up to comic book heroes in times of struggle, the Brits found solace in their Prime Minister, who used his traits of heroic leadership, care and determination, to defeat a seemingly unbreakable Nazi Germany. He truly showed that care and determination are the most important traits to lead a populace, and our modern society should take example from his brilliant leadership.

Churchill, Winston. "Winston Churchill on Liberalism and Socialism." Government, Politics, and Protest: Essential Primary Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 254-258. Biography in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX2687500106/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=1d342d95. Accessed 8 Jan. 2018.

Churchill, Winston. “Sinews of Peace.” 5 March 1946, Westminster College, Fulton, MO

Forster, Matt. "Winston Churchill." Winston Churchill, 8/1/2017, p. 1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b6h&AN=15323968&site=brc-live

Herbert G., Nicholas. "Churchill, Sir Winston." Britannica Biographies, 3/1/2012, p. 1. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b6h&AN=32406644&site=brc-live.