Winston Churchill Anyone?

Question

Please tell me your opinion of Winston Churchill.
Was he a good leader or bad one, and why?
What are the positive and negative aspects of his life?
Any examples would be great. I have a paper and I am trying to get a general feel of how people feel about him.. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Churchill was an untalented politician and administrator who nevertheless knew how to lead a nation at war.

To understand Churchill you have to understand his pig-headed obstinacy and romantic idea of Britain and its history. For all his abilities, Churchill was a lifelong romantic who had a swashbucklers view of Britain. This led him to make disasterous choices such as the doomed attack at Gallipoli when he was First Sea Lord during WW I. And his equally disastrous raid on Norway during WW II.

The same "Rule Britannia" romanticism later wrecked the British Economy in the 1920s when, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Churchill did not follow the course of other nations by devaluing the currency. By stubbornly holding to a romantic notion of the invicibility of of the Pound, Churchill made British goods more expensive and killed British exports, thus sending the economy into a tailspin.

This same unwillingness to face reality, and the romanticization of the empire never allowed Churchill to come to terms with the inevitability of Indian independence. Enlightened minds knew that India had to be made free. Everyone, that is, except Churchill.

So why, for all of these failures and miscalculations is his statue to be found outside Westminster, near Richard the Lionheart? Because in the black days of 1940, when France had been overwhelmed, Britain literally stood alone against Hitler, and every sane mind in the kingdom believed that Britain needed to strike a "deal" with Hitler -- it was Churchill who called up that romantic notion of Britain's greatness of spirit. It was Churchill's total unwillingness to yield -- his pig-headed refusal to accept defeat (in other words -- it was all of those deplorable qualities that got him in so much trouble throughout his long political life) that was EXACTLY what the nation needed to hear at that time.

He summoned forth the romantic spirit of the past, and used those ideals to inspire the people to hold on. And it worked. Never before had Britain come so close to being overrun -- and one man's romantic vision and pig-headed stubbornness prevented it.

And THAT is why his statue is at Westminster today.

Hope this answer helps. Cheers.

Answer 2

This is superior question regarding a superior and arguably best "global" diplomat of the 20th century.

It is sad to read the deplorable, ill-informed, and in some cases, bald face lies of a few of the respondents. The wrongful biases and bogus opinions come through loud and clear. Let's turn to facts instead of opinions for your paper.

Churchill was an extraordinary human being on many counts. Born before the invention of the telephone he lived longer than John F. Kennedy. During his prime, he was the highest paid author in the UK. He was personally involved with one of the last recorded cavalry charges brandishing sabres, yet invented the tank, piloted aircraft, invented mulberries (articial docks), and governed Britain in the nuclear age.

He was an accomplished artist. As the head of the exchequer, he innovated welfare and healthcare programs for the poor classes of England. He brought stronger, fairer labor practices to many industries.

He was the last great Prime Minister in Britain who literally could move the entire nation with his words whilst keeping at bay the most powrful military force in world - Germany's war machine - when his military was weak and ill equipped. He held not only the power of the pen, but also the word.

He was a true man of honor. When wrongfully disgraced for the Dardenelles, he went to the front and led an artillery unit. History and his government officially exonerated him of the Dardenelles after reviewing ALL the papers of that period.

A prolific writer, his relationship and love for his wife Clementine is one of unprecedented and unparalleled quality. He wrote her nearly every day. He would often draw a cat which represented his wife along side his pig which represented himself. One of his favorite expressions in latin was totus porcus (whole hog).

Half American, Churchill took over the war effort when he was in him mid 60's. Sharing a naval background with FDR, the developed an unusual, but cordial relationship.

A world class conversationalist, there are quotes and quotes of his cutting wit and stinging social comments often made while he was inebriated (Winston...you are drunk! Yes madame but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.)

To his children, he was both loved and hated because in all cases he inflexibly stood by his morals and ethics. He would not tolerate incompetence and stupidity even when it showed up in his off spring.

His impact is still being felt today in the middle east where the geopolitical landscape, the tensions, and hostilities can be traced to borders drawn in WW I & II.

During his political exile in the 30's, he became a master brick layer. He was a great lover of pets and animals.

He ransomed Britain's empire and colonies that it might survive. Whether you see him as a positive or negative leader, there are few if any other leaders that can measure up to the diversity and quality of his many talents.

My closing comments to the idiots who denigrate this great man come from Churchill himself, "I do not resent criticism, even when, for the sake of emphasis, it parts for the time with reality."

Good luck with your paper and thanks for a great question.

Answer 3

Winston Spencer Churchill by virtue of his many talents, was destined for the history books of the 20th century. If not in politics, then as a historian much the way Sir Arthur Gilbert and John Keegan are destined for historical immortality.

Why was he a good leader? He took a position, stated his positon and then stood by his decisions. He changed political parties, often the kiss of death in a political career. He was in large part responsible for one of the greatest debacles of World War I (galipoli) and yet he survived politically. As Hitler rose to power, he was one of the few who, at his own expense preached regularly to the House of Commans about the evils of this man. Often he was shouted down during these speeches. His tenacity made him unique, as was his dedication. Most men would have been happy to have First Lord of the Admiralty be their epitaph, but Churchill strove for a higher office. His love of country cannot be denied. Nor his love of the Monarchy. Remember, he backed King Edward VIII during the Abdication crisis of 1936. And yet, he always was able to bounce back from defeat. After the war, he was surprisingly turned out of office, but he was back at 10 Downig Street in a very short time. He was quirky in his personal habits. Silk undergarments, dictating speeches to a secretary while in his bath tub, rarely dressed before noon, worked late in the night and arose late in the morning or afternoon. Preferred the finest Champagne and cigars while his country was at war, but ate the same rations as the citizens of his country, just like the King and Queen. He was almost born aristocracy, had blue blood in his veins, and yet had the comman sense to judge the comman working man. Great as he was as a statesman, he could be terribly insensitive in his personal life. His wife and children did suffer from his neglect as did his children. Yet when he realized such neglect, did much to try to mend the fences.
William Manchester wrote a wonderful volume of his life from birth to the beginning of World War II. If you want to get a real glimpse of the man, I highly recommend it. The title escapes me at the moment, but search out William Manchester and the title will appear. Research any of his speeches. They are documents of insight, wisdom, humour and honesty. Above all, as a leader to foreign leaders, and in particular to President Roosevelt, he was loyal and loved those in his favour deeply. The personal papers between the two men at times is almost comical as Churchill pouts for not receiving a response soon enough, or realizes he has hurt his friend and in a round about way, seeks out forgiveness. Churchill was human and I think that was his key.

Answer 4

Like any human being, there are negative aspects of his life. And nowadays it is somehow seen as fashionable and clever to dig out and expose these negative aspects of any historical figure, as if they devalued their positive aspects.

Winston Churchill single-handedly motivated the British people, over the radio and occasionally in cinema newsreels, to take up his own "never surrender" attitude to the Germans and their despicable European ambitions. He came to the USA and successfully pleaded "Give us the tools and we will finish the job", and he got Lend-Lease. One famous quote about him is that "During the war, he conscripted the English language, and sent it into battle for his people."

So for your paper, just say that anyone who remembers him, or who grew up with parents who remember him, feels that his achievements were unique and his human failings are irrelevant. Younger people just have to decide who to listen to.

Answer 5

Winston Churchill was a great leader during the war (WNW2) he knew how to encourage the British people to stand up and fight the Nazis. but he was not a good leader at peace.

Answer 6

Churchill was a statesman, orator, author, historian and Prime Minister who rallied the British people in the Second World War and took them from the edge of defeat to victory.

Churchill’s leadership during the war is legendary. He became Prime minister when the Cabinet were on the verge of seeking terms with Hitler and Germany. But Churchill would not contemplate defeat or even a honourable truce. His saying was ‘We will never give in’. Churchill is credited with conducting the war single-handedly. He made himself Minister for War as well as being Prime Minister and delegated the running of home affairs to junior ministers. Churchill sat at his desk in the Cabinet Office, dictating memos and orders and giving instructions but letting others get on with it. Churchill’s true talent was leadership, not performance. Churchill had a bed in his office suite and habitually slept in the afternoon. He had by a side, in his office, a mixture of brandy and water, which was continually refreshed. Critics say that this put him in a continuously drunken state.

Churchill was a historian. He wrote The History of The English Speaking Peoples, an account not just of English history but also of the British Empire and United States. This work was designed to demonstrate that the British people and their colonies are a unique culture distinct from European civilisations.

Churchill was an author. His book My Early Life, although outwardly an autobiography, is in fact novel with the young Churchill as one of the characters. In the book, Churchill sits the entrance examination for Harrow but on taking the Latin paper, carefully wrote the title, his name and the question number 1. After further thought, he adds brackets to the number but cannot think of anything to write and his paper is smudged by an inkblot. Churchill’s comments on the wisdom of the headmaster in accepting him despite this is an ironic comment not on the inability of his younger self but on the educational system of the time.

Churchill was known for his eloquence and his ready wit. On being accused of being a turncoat for changing parties twice, Churchill reposted ‘anyone can rat, but it takes a certain ingenuity to re-rat.’ When an official criticised other writers for ending sentences with propositions, Churchill added a note ‘This is the sort of English, up with which I will not put’. On one occasion a lady heckler shouted ‘Sir, you are drunk’. Churchill replied ‘And you, madam are ugly, but I shall be sober, tomorrow!’

Answer 7

Winston Churchill, was born to a sort of affluent family, he was very close with his mother,(mamas boy) and his mother was a very well known consort with many of the very rich and influential men through out the continent. Gossip was kept to a low roar. However she was the reason her son made it to the top. Lots of blackmail. He didn't like Hitler,(a power ego thing with men), but still conceded and agreed to appease him to give the Nazis Poland,(as if Poland belonged to any of them to give away?) Britain slid through the grease like crap through a goose when he took over. He was a good negotiator. (politician, liar). No one seems to mention how we rescued All of Europe including Great Britain and her Crown, and the fact that England signed with Hitler just like the Pope did. Then all of a sudden when Britain was attacked they come home with the tail between their legs, screaming for help from us, Churchill managed to negotiate some organized underground missions from America through Roosevelt before the time of our official entry Dec 7,1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Most of our entries were secretly sent through Canada. However Churchill was only concerned about Britain, and none other than. He knew very well about the holocaust and the camps but he was never instrumental in helping any Jewish people. If necessary read about the Warsaw Ghetto wars in Poland. He wrote many transcripts that are widely published.(poppycock). To me he was just as guilty as the rest. He was immoral as well but hid behind a name and position.

Answer 8

He was one of the greatest men in world history. He had the cajones to say that Hitler was an evil person, and when everybody in the world criticized him for it, he went after him. The world later found out that Churchill was right!

Answer 9

A total bonehead
Te entire Middle East is his fault

Answer 10

Did you try wikipedia? What does our general opinion of him matter? Are you doing the paper about him or about people's opinions?