Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer
(Churchill, Winston Leonard Spencer) (1874 - 1965)
Among the works of Winston Churchill are journalism, books of the historical memoir genre: "The Story of the Malakand Field Force" (The Story of the Malakand Field Force; 1898; first book; notes on the operation in Northwest India), "War on the River" (The River War; 2 volumes; 1899; notes on the operation in Sudan), "From London to Ladysmith via Pretoria" (London to Ladysmith via Pretoria, 1900), "The Life of Lord Randolph Churchill" (Life of Lord Randolph Churchill; 1905; in press published in January 1906; memoirs of his father), "The World Crisis, 1916-1918" (The World Crisis, 1916-1918; 4 volumes; 1923-1929; about the history of the First World War), "Marlborough: his life and time" ( Marlborough, his Life and Time; 6 vols.; 1933-1938; biography of Duke John Churchill of Marlborough), "My early years"(1930; the first book of autobiography, covering the period from birth to 1901)," Reflections and Adventures "(1932; second book of autobiography)," Great Contemporaries "(1937; third book of autobiography)," Second World War", "History of the English-speaking peoples" .
Sources of information:
Brief biography of Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill - twice Prime Minister of Great Britain, a brilliant speaker, writer, British statesman and political figure, Laureate Nobel Prize. He was born on November 30, 1874 at Blenheim Palace, which was the family estate of the aristocratic Marlborough family. The politician's father is Lord Randolph Churchill. Until the age of 8, Winston was educated and educated by his nanny Elizabeth Ann Everest. Then he started visiting preparatory school. Educational progress was satisfactory, but the boy often violated discipline. At the age of 10, he suffered severe pneumonia, after which it was decided to send the boy not to Eton, where all the men of the Marlborough family studied, but to no less prestigious Harrow. It was one of the most privileged private schools in Britain. At the age of 19, he entered the Royal Military College Sandhurst, after which he went to serve in South India.
Churchill's first book was published in 1898 and immediately brought him not only success, but also a substantial fee. It was History of the Malakand Armed Forces. A year later, the writer decides to leave military career and stand as a candidate for parliamentary elections. However, speaking for the Conservative Party, he loses this election and goes to South Africa as a war correspondent for The Morning Post. Then he spends some time in the USA, where he lectures, and with the proceeds he decides to start his own political career in Britain. In 1908, Churchill met his future wife, Clementine Hozier. In the same year they got married, and subsequently the couple had five children. In 1911, Winston was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. During World War I, he formed the Royal Air Force of Britain. In 1919, he received the post of Minister of War and Minister of Aviation. In the 1920s, Churchill worked mainly in Parliament, holding various positions, and was fond of painting.
Winston Churchill was elected Prime Minister of Great Britain twice. The first time at the age of 65, immediately after the resignation of the Chamberlain government. And the second time at the age of 77, when in 1952 power returned to the conservatives. During his tenure as Prime Minister, in 1941, Great Britain signed an agreement with the USSR on joint action against Nazi Germany. Then the Atlantic Charter was signed with the United States, which was later joined by the Soviet Union. In 1953, Queen Elizabeth herself honored the politician with a knighthood, and he became Winston Churchill cheese. Then he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1955, at the age of 80, he retired and devoted much of his time to painting and literature. Soon his four-volume work, The History of the English-Speaking Peoples, will be published. Winston Churchill died in London on January 24, 1965 at the age of 90 and was buried in Blaydon, not far from Blenheim Palace. According to polls conducted by the BBC, he is the greatest Briton in history.
Childhood and youth
When Churchill was eight years old, he was sent to St. George's Preparatory School. Corporal punishment was practiced at the school, and Winston, who constantly violated discipline, was often subjected to it. After the nanny who visited him regularly found traces of vice on the boy’s body, she immediately informed his mother, and he was transferred to the Thomson Sisters School in Brighton. Academic progress, especially after the transfer, was satisfactory, but the behavioral assessment read: "Number of students in the class - 13. Place - 13th."
In October of the same year, the regiment was sent to India and is quartered in Bangalore. Churchill reads a lot, thus trying to compensate for the lack of a university education, and becomes one of the best players in the regiment's national team. polo. According to the recollections of his subordinates, he conscientiously treated his officer duties and spent a lot of time studying with soldiers and sergeants, but the routine of service weighed on him, he twice went on vacation to England (including the celebrations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria), traveled in India, visiting Kolkata and Hyderabad.
Letters from the front lines were published Daily Telegraph”, and at the end of the company, his book “History of the Malakand Field Corps” was published with a circulation of 8500 copies ( English "The Story of the Malakand Field Force" ). Due to the hasty preparation for printing, a huge number of typographical errors crept into the book, Churchill counted more than 200 typographical errors and since then he always demanded to personally correct the proofs of the publisher.
Having safely returned from Malakand, Churchill immediately began to seek a trip to North Africa, to cover the suppression of the Mahdist uprising in Sudan. The desire to go on another journalistic business trip did not meet with the understanding of the command, and he writes directly to the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, honestly admitting that the motives of the trip are like a desire to cover historical moment, and the opportunity to derive personal, including financial benefits from the publication of the book. As a result, the War Department granted the request by appointing him to the supernumerary post of Lieutenant, the appointment order specifically noted that in the event of injury or death, he could not count on payments from the funds of the War Department.
Although there was numerical superiority on the side of the rebels, the allied Anglo- Egyptian the army had an overwhelming technological advantage - multiply charged weapon , artillery , gunboats and the latest novelty of that time - Maxim machine guns. AT pitched battle of Omdurman Churchill took part in the last cavalry charge of the British Army. He himself described the episode:
I broke into a trot and galloped to individual [opponents], shooting them in the face with a pistol, and killed several - three for sure, two very unlikely, and one more - very doubtful.
In the reports, he criticized the commander of the British troops, his future cabinet colleague General Kitchener per cruel treatment with prisoners and wounded and for disrespect for local customs. "He great general, but no one has yet accused him of being a great gentleman, ”Churchill said about him in a private conversation, a well-aimed characterization, however, quickly became public. Although the criticism was largely fair, the public reaction to it was ambiguous, the position of a publicist and accuser did not fit well with the duty of a junior officer.
After the end of the campaign, Churchill returned to India to take part in a nationwide polo tournament. During a brief stopover in England, he speaks at Conservative rallies several times. Almost immediately after the end of the tournament, which his team won by winning a hard-fought final match, in March 1899 he is retiring.
Debut in politics
By the time of his resignation, Churchill had gained some notoriety as a journalist, and his book on the Sudan campaign, The War on the River ( English The River War) became a bestseller.
Boer War
By the autumn of 1899, relations with Boer republics, and when in September Transvaal and Orange Republic rejected British proposals to enfranchise English workers in the gold mines, it became clear that war was inevitable.
Lord Lorburn, head of the House of Lords, publicly called the Home Secretary's actions "irresponsible and reckless".
At the same time, deteriorating relations with Germany prompted Churchill to address issues foreign policy. From the ideas and information received from military experts, Churchill drew up a memorandum on the "military aspects of the continental problem" and handed it to the Prime Minister. This document was an undoubted success for Churchill. He testified that Churchill, having a very modest military education, which the school of cavalry officers gave him, was able to quickly and professionally sort out a number of important military issues.
The cost of the naval forces was the largest expenditure item in the British budget. Churchill was tasked with implementing reforms while improving cost efficiency. The changes he initiated were very large-scale: organized Main Headquarters The Navy, naval aviation was established, new types of warships were designed and laid down. So, according to the original plans, the shipbuilding program of 1912 was supposed to be 4 improved battleships of the type "Iron Duke". However, the new First Lord of the Admiralty ordered the project to be redesigned for the main caliber of 15 inches, despite the fact that design work on the creation of such tools have not even been completed yet. As a result, very successful battleships of the type queen elizabeth who served in CVMF of Great Britain until 1948.
One of major decisions was the transfer of the navy from coal for liquid fuel. Despite the obvious advantages, the maritime department opposed this step for a long time, for strategic reasons - coal-rich Britain had absolutely no reserves oil. In order to make the conversion of the fleet to oil possible, Churchill initiated the allocation of 2.2 million pounds for the acquisition of a 51% stake in the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Beyond purely technical aspects, the decision had far-reaching political implications - the region Persian Gulf became a zone of strategic interests of Great Britain. Chairman of the Royal Commission on the conversion of the fleet to liquid fuels was Lord Fisher, eminent British admiral. The joint work of Churchill and Fisher ended in May of the year due to the latter's categorical disagreement with landing at Gallipoli.
World War I
The UK has officially joined World War I August 3rd 1914, but already July 28th, on the day when Austria-Hungary declared war Serbia, Churchill ordered the fleet to move into combat positions off the coast of England, permission for this was obtained from the Prime Minister retroactively.
As chairman of the "Commission on Landships" ( English Landship Committee) Churchill took part in the development of the first tanks and the creation of tank troops.
Interwar period
Return to the Conservative Party
Political isolation
After the defeat of the Conservatives in the elections 1929 Churchill did not seek election to the leading bodies of the party in connection with disagreements with the leaders of the Conservatives on issues of trade tariffs and independence India. When Ramsey McDonald formed a coalition government in 1931 Churchill received no invitation to enter the cabinet.
For the next several years he devoted literary works, the most significant work of that period is considered "Marlborough: his life and time" ( English Marlborough: His Life and Times ) - biography of his ancestor John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.
In Parliament, he organized the so-called "Churchill Group" - a small faction within the Conservative Party. The faction opposed the granting of independence and even status dominion India, for a tougher foreign policy, in particular for more active opposition to rearmament Germany.
In the pre-war years, he severely criticized appeasement policy Hitler carried out by the government Chamberlain and after conclusion Munich Agreement said in the House of Commons:
You had a choice between war and dishonor. You have chosen dishonor, now you will get war.
original text(English)
You were given the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, and you will have war
The Second World War
Return to government
September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland - began The Second World War. On September 3, at 11 a.m., the United Kingdom officially entered the war, and within 10 days, the entire British Commonwealth. On the same day, Winston Churchill was asked to take the post of First Lord of the Admiralty with a vote in the War Council. There is a legend that, having learned about this, the ships CVMF of Great Britain and the naval bases exchanged a message with the text: "Winston is back."
Although on land after the defeat Polish army and the surrender of Poland, there were no active hostilities, there was a so-called "strange war", military operations at sea almost immediately entered the active phase.
Prime Minister
Anti-Hitler coalition
After the war
On January 1, 1946, the King presented Churchill with an honorary Order of Merit (which only 24 people were awarded) and offers to make him a Knight of the Garter (Churchill refuses).
Most famous performances
Churchill's speech in the House of Commons Stalin
Russia was very lucky that when she was dying, she was headed by such a tough military leader. This is an outstanding personality, suitable for harsh times. The man is inexhaustibly brave, imperious, direct in actions and even rude in his statements ... However, he retained a sense of humor, which is very important for all people and nations, and especially for great people and great nations. Stalin also impressed me with his cold-blooded wisdom, in the complete absence of any illusions. I hope I made him believe that we will be loyal and reliable comrades-in-arms in this war - but this, after all, is proved by deeds, not words.
original text(English)
It is very fortunate for Russia in her agony to have this great rugged war chief at her head. He is a man of massive outstanding personality, suited to the sombre and stormy times in wich his life has been cast; a man of inexhaustible courage and will-power and a man direct and even blunt in speech … Above all, he is a man with that saving sense of humour which is of high importance to all men and all nations, but particularly to great men and great nations. Stalin also left upon me the impression of a deep, cool wisdom and complete absence of illusions of any kind. I believe I made him feel that we were good and faithful comrades in this war - but this, after all, is a matter which deeds not words will prove.
This statement becomes more understandable in comparison with the following (from a radio speech on June 22, 1941):
If Hitler invades hell, I'll at least present to the House of Commons positive feedback about the devil.
original text(English)
If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favorite reference to the devil in the House of Commons.
Churchill's similar speech on Stalin is often cited in House of Commons dated December 21, 1959, the authenticity of which some researchers question. A number of researchers consider this speech a hoax, since its original was not found for the specified date.
At the beginning of November 1945, Churchill delivered a speech in the House of Commons in which, in particular, he said:
I personally can feel nothing but the greatest admiration for this truly great man, the father of his country, who ruled the fate of his country in times of peace and victorious defender in times of war. Even if we had strong disagreements with the Soviet government on many political aspects - political, social and even, we think, moral - then in England there should not be a mood that could disrupt or weaken these great ties between the two our peoples, the ties that were our glory and security during the recent terrible convulsions.
On October 9, 1954, in a Peace Through Strength speech given before the Conservative Party conference, he said:
Stalin was the dictator of Russia for many years, and the more I studied his career, the more I was shocked by the terrible mistakes he made and the extreme cruelty towards the people and the masses with which he acted. Stalin was our ally in the fight against Hitler when Russia was attacked, but when Hitler was destroyed, Stalin became our main threat.
After our common victory, it became obvious that his actions had once again divided the world. Apparently, he was driven by dreams of world domination. He turned a third of Europe into a satellite Soviet Union by imposing communism on them. It was an unfortunate event after all we had been through.
But it's already been a year since Stalin died - that's beyond doubt, and since then I've been hoping that a new perspective for Russia, a new hope for peaceful coexistence with the Russian people, and it is our duty to patiently and boldly ascertain whether there is a chance here or not.original text(English)
Stalin was for many years Dictator of Russia and the more I have studied his career the more I am shocked by the terrible mistakes he made and the utter ruthlessness he showed to men and masses with whom he acted. Stalin was our ally against Hitler when Russia was invaded but when Hitler was destroyed Stalin made himself our principal object of dread. After our joint victory became certain his conduct divided the world again. He seemed to be carried away by his dream of world domination. He actually reduced a third of Europe to a Soviet satellite condition under compulsory communism. These were heartbreaking events after all we have gone through. But a year ago Stalin died - that is certain - and ever since that event I have cherished the hope that there's new outlook in Russia, a new hope of peaceful co-existence with the Russian nation and that it is our duty patiently and daringly to make sure whether there is such a chance or not.
Fulton speech
Notes
Links
- D. Medvedev. Churchill: Private life. M. "Publishing house RIPOL classic", 2008, ISBN 978-5-386-00897-0
- N. Rose. Churchill. Fast paced life. per. E. F. Levina, M. Ast Publishing House, 2004, ISBN 5-17-014478-4
- Never Give In! The Best of Winston Churchill's Speeches. (Selected Speeches of Churchill), Hyperion, NY, 2003, ISBN 0-7868-8870-9
- R. Holmes, In the Footsteps of Churchill. Basic Books, NY, 2005, ISBN 0-465-03082-3
