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[[File: Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg|thumbnail|left|600px170px|Winston Churchill - 1940]] Winston Churchill led an extraordinary life, but perhaps the most remarkable element in his life was how he became prime minister in 1940. Just a few years earlier he was widely seen as politically isolated and was widely ridiculed for his views. Yet in In 1940, he was appointed his nation’s Prime Minister at its darkest hours and became the leader of the fight against Nazi Germany. <ref> Hastings, Max. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0007263678/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0007263678&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c5315e5d93a61b09289d8c7fda91f3e3 Finest Years: Churchill as Warlord, 1940–45]''. (London: Harper Press, 2009), p. 112.</ref> The reasons for this astounding change Churchill’s political fortunes changed because of political fortune was due to Churchill’s his unstinting opposition to Nazi Germany and the realization by Parliament that he his leadership was the leader what Britain needed in its most desperate hour.
====Background====
Winston Churchill was born into one of Britain’s leading political and aristocratic families. His father Randolph Churchill was one of the leading political figures of his time. <ref>Hastings, p. 13</ref> Churchill, from his youth, was a charismatic figure. He earned fame while still in his twenties, as a war journalist and for his exploits during the Boer War. Churchill joined the Conservative Party and eventually elected an M.P. During the First World War, he served as First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-15), in effect, he was in command of the British navy. In 1915, Churchill was forced to resign after the failed invasion of Gallipoli. Churchill later served as an officer in the British army on the western front.
====Appeasement====[[File:Winston_Churchill_1874_-_1965_ZZZ5426F_(1).jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Winston Churchill in military uniform in 1895]]Europe in the 1930's1930s, saw the rise of dictators in Europe, as democracies collapsed, in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Hitler seized Germany's democratic government's power in eroded during the depression and eventually collapsed. Germany and he immediately began to establish a dictatorship in Germany. He dismantled dismantle the provisions of the Versailles Treaty and contrary to rapidly expand its termsarmy. The government invested heavily into the country's arms industry, he expanded the army and it was rapidly began to rebuilt the Germany arms industries.<ref> James, Robert Rhodes. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO1KMC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BO1KMC&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=220db8c453a51701fea9c803c9dfef97 Churchill: ''A Study in Failure, 1900–1939]''(Harper Press, London, 1970), p. 134 </ref> Soon the German’s were acting in an aggressive manner, for example, they re-occupied the Rhineland. Churchill warned against this and he stated in fiery speeches that Hitler was a danger to peace in Europe. However, he was widely dismissed at this time. <ref> James, p. 211</ref> The political elite in Britain at this time favoured a policy of appeasement, many believed that Germany had been too harshly treated under the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1938, Germany demanded the return of the Sudetenland, a German-speaking area in Czechoslovakia to Germany. This almost led to a war. However, Chamberlin, the current British Prime Minister, allowed the Germans to occupy the Sudetenland in exchange for German reassurances that they would seek no more territory in Europe in the so-called Munich Agreement of 1938. <ref>Hastings, p. 134</ref> Within months, Hitler had broken the agreement, and by 1939, it was widely expected that Europe would once again be plunged into war. Churchill had predicted this, and the British public recognized that their government’s policies had been ill-advised.<ref>Hastings, p. 119</ref> Many believed that if Churchill had been heeded, Germany might have been stopped. Churchill became the most popular politician in Britain. Many began to call for him to lead the country. These people even included those who had previously derided him as a crank. Churchill was viewed as remarkably prescient and who potentially understood Germany's ultimate goals better than anyone else in Parliament. ====Outbreak of War====
[[File: Wc0107-04780r.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Winston Churchill- 1940]]
In September 1939, the German war machine invaded Poland. The Then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin declared war on Nazi Germany. The British adopted a cautious policy. The send sent the British Expeditionary Force to France. The Both the Allied British and French adopted a defensive posture and waited for a German attack. This action was the period of derisively referred to as the Phoney War, where because were the allies waited were waiting for Hitler’s Germany’s next move.<ref>Hastings, p. 117 </ref> Chamberlin knew that Churchill, was wildly popular, and he invited him to join the war cabinet and as the First Lord of the Admiralty, on the day that Britain declared war on Germany. Churchill began to prepare the British navy for war against Germany. Many believed that Chamberlin invited Churchill to join the war cabinet to ensure that he did not cause problems for the government in the House of Commons. It proved to be a popular move and the public welcomed Churchill’s return to the cabinet. Poland was defeated within weeks by Germany and after the Molotov-Rippentrop pact, Hitler turned his attention west towards France. Churchill argued strongly in favor of an aggressive strategy. He wanted the British and French to attack Germany and he proposed that the Allies occupy Norway, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Germans.<ref>Hastings, 211</ref> In the Spring of 1940, the German navy and army attacked Norway, even though it was a neutral nation. Like Churchill, Germany realized that Norway had great strategic importance. When Germany invaded Norway it was the main source of their iron ore and they need to keep Norway's iron ore following to Germany. <ref>Hastings, p. 117 </ref>
==National Hero==Battle of Norway====The Conservative government, under popular pressure, asked the other parties Allies dispatched forces to form a National Government. However, when the Labour Party and Liberal Party voted Norway to join the National Government, they stated that help the preferred Churchill as leader.<ref>''The Times of London'', 12 May 1940</ref> This was mainly based on his long-term opposition Norwegian army to beat back the Nazis. Churchill, because of his many years warning about the NazisGerman invaders, but it was the only senior political figure with the moral authority and popularity to lead the nationtoo late. After all, parties agreed to for a National Government, the King then called for Churchill and ‘invited’ him to become Prime Minister. It was a popular choice The Germans landed paratroopers in the country, the public wanted a war leader someone who would unite and inspire the country to victoryrapidly reinforced these forces with several divisions of German infantry. Churchill was to prove to be the leader that Britain Germany quickly and easily defeated the free world neededNorwegian army. He knew that Britain prevented Europe The French and much of the world succumbing to Nazi GermanyBritish arrived too late and in too few numbers. "Hitler knows that he will have to break us The Norwegian army regrouped in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life north of the world may move forward into broadcountry, sunlit uplands."<ref> Winston Churchill. ''Historic Speeches'', June 18, 1940.</ref> He promised the where they were joined by British victory and he would prove true to his promiseFrench forces. Immediately, he faced various crises as within weeks of his appointment, France and much of Western Europe was conquered by Germany. Churchill was to ignore all pleas to enter into peace negotiations with the Germans, believing that one could not reach an agreement with the Germans who There were bent on world domination. He was to prove a brilliant war-leader and he inspired his country to victory in the Battle of Britainseveral fierce battles, that saved Britain from a Nazi invasion and occupation. The appointment of Winston Churchill in May 1940 probably saved Britain and ultimately laid the foundation for the Allied victory over the NazisAllies put up fierce resistance.
*[[What were the goals of the Axis powers and the Soviet Union during World War Two?]]
*[[How Did the German Military Develop What was Blitzkrieg?and Who Created it]]
*[[What was the impact of the Irish Famine on Ireland and the world?]]
*[[How did Mussolini become Prime Minister of Italy?]]
*[[The Nazi triumph: how How did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer Fuhrer of Germany?]]
*[[Why was France defeated in 1940?]]
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====Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister May 1940====On May 10th, the Germans invaded western Europe.<ref>''The Times of London'', 11 May 1940 </ref> They launched coordinated attacks on the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. London was in a panic, and many believed that a German victory was inevitable. The British people demanded that a National Government, be put in place, comprising the Conservative, Labour and the Liberal Party. It was believed that such were the dangers that only a National Government, as in World War I could save the country. Lord Halifax was an early favorite to become prime minister, but he was unwilling. His candiacy also was tainted by his support of Chamberlain's the appeasement policy. It was rumored that Halifax had been to seeking peace with Germany. The public overwhelmingly supported Churchill, and they saw him as someone who could lead their country. However, many of the British political elite believed that Churchill was a maverick and too unpredictable. Perhaps crucially, Churchill was also favored by the British armed forces. He was genuinely popular with the rank and file. Additionally, British officers and saw Churchill as someone who could successfully fight Germany. ====National Hero====The Conservative government, under popular pressure, asked the other parties to form a National Government. However, when the Labour Party and Liberal Party voted to join the National Government, they stated that the preferred Churchill as leader.<ref>''The Times of London'', 12 May 1940</ref> This support was based on his unflinching long-term opposition to Hitler's Germany. Churchill's warnings about Germany and fascism were proved correct, and he was the only senior political figure with the moral authority and popularity to lead the nation. Ultimately, the parties agreed to form a National Government, the King then called Churchill and ‘invited’ him to become Prime Minister. It was a popular choice in the country; the public wanted a war leader someone who would unite and inspire the country to victory. Churchill promised the British victory. He faced numerous various challenges within weeks of his appointment. Germany conquered France and much of Western Europe. Churchill ignored all pleas to enter into peace negotiations with Germany. He believed that it would be impossible to reach an agreement with Germany because the government was bent on world domination. He proved to be a brilliant war-leader and helped lead his country to victory in the Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain permanently stalled the planned German invasion. The appointment of Winston Churchill in May 1940 probably saved Britain and ultimately laid the foundation for the Allied victory. ====Conclusion====The appointment of Winston Churchill, as Prime Minister was a remarkable turn of events. He had been in the political wilderness for some time. However, his steadfast opposition to the appeasement of Hitler, his great oratory skills, and writings ensured that he remained a political force during this time. Eventually, his firmly held beliefs and courage increased his popularity in Britain and even overcame the British Establishment's distrust of him. His moral authority and clear understanding of Hitler's motives encouraged his country to call on him at its darkest hour. ====References====
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Updated December 31, 2018.
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