Winston Churchill is easily one of the 20th century’s greatest historical figures. During his exemplary career, he became known for his eloquence and rousing speeches, particularly in Britain’s darkest hours.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is his wartime leadership as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister. He rallied British forces during World War II and again in the early 1950s, providing the second-largest army after the United States.
Despite his popularity, his legacy has met with a lot of debate. Layered, multifacted, and complex, Churchill was an ambitious young officer with a relentless determination and controversial political views.
Who Was Winston Churchill?
Most know Winston Churchill as the UK’s Prime Minister during WWII. Historians consider him an important historical figure who had his own flaws and unusual depth. Born in 1874, Churchill was an aristocrat, a descendant of the Duke of Marlborough.
He worked hard for recognition and was known for his relentless drive. His stint as a war correspondent highlighted his daring personality and zest for life. Churchill’s political career was tumultous but distinguished. His indecision regarding the Liberal and Conservative parties reflect his sometimes contradicting views. Ultimately, however, his records of glory and downfalls should be taken with some skepticism.
His leadership is considered courageous while his fiery speeches overflowed with determination and defiance. His words, “We shall fight on the beaches,” have echoed through history, symbolizing courage under fire.
Besides his leadership, Churchill is also known for his prolific writing. His books, essays, and letters made him infamous. He was not just a leader of wartime but a complex, often contradictory figure who played many roles in life—artist, writer, family man, and orator.
Contributions to the Royal Military
In 1894, Churchill graduated from the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy as a cavalry cadet. Four years later, he published The Story of the Malakand Field Force, his first book detailing his time as a soldier in India.
By 1901, he won his first election, winning a seat in the House of Commons. In 1911, he was appointed civilian head of the British Navy. He later resigned after the country conceded. He then served as Lieutenant-Colonel on the western front with Grenadier Guards in Fusiliers, France in 1915.
Political Contributions
After joining the Boer War in South Africa, Churchill enjoyed some renown as a war hero. He hoped to capitalize on it with a series of lectures in the United States. Though he experienced opposition in the country, he met some of its most influential individuals. This included Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and President William McKinley.
Churchill moved back to Britain in 1939 as First Lord of the Admiralty. In 1940, he became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. After a short break from leadership, Churchill was again elected Prime Minister in 1951.
Other Accomplishments
Churchill was a Nobel Prize laureate in Literature for his extensive historical writings and speeches. His speeches are depicted in films and TV shows, highlighting how significant and groundbreaking his words were. Churchill was awarded an honorary US Citizenship by President John F Kennedy in 1963.
President John F Kennedy, who was particularly fond of Churchill and his publications, awarded him an honorary US Citizenship in 1963. The US president added, “By adding his names to our rolls, we mean to honor him—but his acceptance honors us far more.”
He served the royal family and the country as a Member of Parliament until 1964, retiring after over 60 years of service. Churchill passed away in 1965 and left behind a controversial legacy of sorts.
Debunking Myths About Winston Churchill
As history is passed down and rewritten from different perspectives, it becomes more complex. Like other prominent historical figures, Churchill’s life had its fair share of controversies, rumors, and myths that some believe to be true.
Here are some myths:
Myth #1: Churchill Was a White Supremacist
The British statesman was often praised for recognizing Hitler as a threat, but he didn’t have that many opposing ideologies compared to the dictator. Churchill repeatedly and publicly praised the “Aryan stock” as “a stronger race, a higher-grade race.”
It’s been reported that he didn’t believe that “black people were as capable or as efficient as white people.” To prove this, he even segregated boxing matches, forcing Whites and Blacks to fight with their own “kind.” Some believe Churchill reinforced segregation so the “superior race” wouldn’t be seen losing to Black people.
Although he didn’t directly support Hitler’s beliefs, his efforts to separate races and deem one race superior made him similar to Hitler—a white supremacist.
Myth #2: He Had Nothing To Do With Genocide
Contrary to popular belief, Churchill had a lot of control over the Bengal famine of 1943. As British Prime Minister, his negligence toward British India prevented him from delivering timely aid, causing more than three million people to die.
British actions caused many to hoard grains, causing chaos in the less privileged regions. Bengal was one of the most affected areas. While many defend Churchill’s efforts for relief, he had more power than he claimed to alleviate the situation.
As prime minister, he had the authority to reroute ships carrying rations from Australia. However, he believed that “saving the Greeks and liberated countries was more important than the Indians.” In addition, there is no denying his infamous quote, “I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion. The famine was their own fault for breeding like rabbits.”
So, did he actually attempt to relieve the situation? A shocked Leo Amery, the colonial secretary, remarked, “Winston is not quite sane… I didn’t see much difference between his outlook and Hitler’s.”
Myth #3: “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” Roused and Inspired the Whole of Britain
The famous “We shall fight on the beaches” is one of the most inspirational and motivating speeches of all time. And while it tugs at the heartstrings, the speech was never actually delivered on radio—at least not at first.
In 1940, Churchill addressed the House of Commons. He started his speech by bringing listeners up to speed about the German war. He talked about the beaches of Dunkirk and how the Allied Forces helped France. He discussed how Britain would fight tooth and nail even if no one supported them. Then, came the praised lines.
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”
While the speech is bone-chilling and rousing, the rest of the country didn’t get a chance to hear it until 1949. The speech was only printed in the newspapers but was only heard on the radio later when it was recorded. Unfortunately, by the time the nation and the world heard it, people were not very inspired by it. Challenges and hardships had already dampened their spirits. When it was first delivered, the speech was certainly moving but it was no longer relevant when his countrymen listened to it.
Myth #4: Churchill Had Intel About the Coventry Bombing
On November 14, 1940, the Germans dropped multiple bombs and explosives, killing more than 507 civilians and leaving 420 seriously injured, over Coventry, an emerging industrial city.
Many wonder whether Churchill knew of it. And if he did, why didn’t he prevent it? But the real question is: did he have accurate information?
There are theories floating around regarding Churchill’s knowledge of the attack. Some believe he knew of the attack several days before it actually occurred. However, he held onto the information in an attempt to protect the UK and its efforts to decipher the Enigma codes sent by Germans. Speculations even include the idea that he held back to provoke the US into joining the war. However, is that the truth?
Although intel decrypted the codes successfully, they weren’t as accurate as they thought. On November 9, a German pilot who was interrogated suggested that Coventry or Birmingham would be under attack. However, Intelligence decoded “Moonlight Sonata” on November 12, which indicated five other possible targets, namely Central London, Greater London, the Thames Valley, or the Kent or Essex coasts.
Officials found the German pilot’s information untrustworthy. Churchill and the rest of the team closely watched London. But the attack never happened.
Instead, German radio beams indicated that Coventry was indeed the target, as the German pilot had informed. Although a fighter patrol was maintained over the city and the “Cold Water” defense strategies were in place, it was too late for the city to save itself from the firestorm created by the bombs.
Myth #5: Churchill Claimed Turing Made the “Single Biggest Contribution” to Victory
Alan Turing, a mathematician and computer scientist, was part of the Intelligence team that deciphered the German Enigma machine, thereby decoding Ultra. This secret message helped the Allied forces win.
Churchill and Turing got acquainted after the then-prime minister granted additional resources to Turing and three other cryptographers. Although Churchill believed Turing and the team played a vital part in the Allied Forces’ victory, he never really said Turing made the “single biggest contribution.”
There are no documents supporting that statement or claim. In fact, Churchill always wanted to keep Ultra under wraps, and its existence only came to life a decade after his death.
As a result, there is a possibility that Churchill may have mentioned it in personal conversations. But it’s highly unlikely that Churchill even remembered the man post-war. So, it is safe to say that Churchill’s praises for Turing are, in fact, a myth.
Churchill’s Impact on History
Winston Churchill lived from 1874 to 1965. His life and legacy are filled with fascinating triumphs and controversies, perfectly encompassing the complexities of human nature. His patriotism and will to never give up during Britain’s most perilous times leaves an undeniable mark on history. However, his actions and beliefs provoke debate, reflecting the character of the troubled man.
Churchill’s aristocratic background and early adventures in the military and journalism show that he was a profound man who could influence and shape events. Meanwhile, his political journey and shifts between conservatism and liberalism demonstrated his commitment to his convictions and indecisiveness.
On the other hand, his leadership during World War II showcased his ability to rally a nation to victory at its lowest point. His speeches are a testament to his unwavering motivation in between his cries for freedom.
But like all humans, his story also has gray areas, particularly regarding race and colonialism, sparking significant backlash. For example, the Bengal famine of 1943, his stances on race, and his often imperialistic rhetoric reflect a side of Churchill that complicates his heroic image.
These aspects invite a critical evaluation of his legacy, suggesting that while he was a product of his time, his actions and impact warrant scrutiny.
That said, there is no denying Churchill’s intellect and prowess during his country’s desperate hour. After all, his contributions to literature and his Nobel Prize in 1953 remind us of it.
They also provide valuable insight into historical events. His capacity for great leadership and his problematic views coexist, challenging many to embrace the complexity that was Winston Churchill.
The more you learn of him, the more you understand history and the human mind. Churchill was a man of his time; his dated views need not be accepted. He remains a figure of interest and debate—a person who shaped the world in ways that are both admired and criticized. However, learning about him helps us understand history better and—hopefully—not make the same mistakes.
They say that history repeats itself. But here’s hoping mankind has learned to skip the conflicts brought about by WWII and its many leaders.
