Prime Minister during the Second World War. Winston Churchill rallied the British people. He led the country from near defeat to victory. But what led him to this point?
Winston Churchill was born in 1874. His full name was Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. He died in London in 1965 aged 90.
Churchill’s father was Lord Randolph Churchill. His mother was Jennie Jerome. She was American.
Churchill’s early life wasn’t easy. He had an unhappy childhood. He was often neglected. His nurse Mrs. Everest showed him affection.
At Harrow his academic performance was poor. He entered the army. He graduated 20th out of 130.
In 1895 his father died. Churchill entered the 4th Hussars. He reported on Cuba’s war of independence. He was a soldier and journalist.
Churchill resigned his army commission. He entered politics. He reported on the South African War. He rescued an armored train ambushed by Boers. He was taken prisoner.
He escaped from military prison. He returned to Britain a hero. He won a seat in Parliament in 1900. His writings earned him money.
Churchill became a notable figure in the House of Commons. A speech defect hindered him. He excelled at set speeches. He modeled himself on his father.
In 1904 Churchill joined the Liberals. He attacked Chamberlain and Balfour. He won a victory in Manchester in 1906. He became undersecretary of state for the colonies.
He defended conciliation in South Africa. In 1908 he became president of the Board of Trade. He won an election at Dundee. He married Clementine Hozier. Their marriage was happy. It provided a secure background.
At the Board of Trade Churchill supported social reform. He imposed an eight-hour day for miners. He set up trade boards to fix minimum wages. He instituted state-run labor exchanges.
Churchill earned Tory animosity. He was seen as a traitor. He campaigned against the House of Lords. He won popular acclaim. He became home secretary. He focused on industrial unrest and strikes.
In 1911 Germany sent a gunboat to Morocco. Churchill believed Britain had to support France. He became First Lord of the Admiralty. He brought the navy to readiness.
His first task was creating a naval war staff. He campaigned for naval expenditure. He embraced Home Rule for Ireland. He was abused by Tories and Home Rulers.
His long and varied political career eventually led him to become. Winston Churchill Prime Minister. He took office in 1940. He formed a national government. He oversaw the war effort against the Axis powers. He led Britain to victory. He warned of an iron curtain of Soviet influence. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.
Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace. He died in London. He is remembered as one of Britain’s greatest prime ministers. His legacy lives on in his words and actions. He was a true leader.