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'''Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill''', KG, OM, CH (1874-1965), was a [[British]] politician who served as the Conservative [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]] for most of the [[Second World War]] and again from 1951-55.  

'''Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill''', KG, OM, CH (1874–1965), was a [[British]] politician who served as the Conservative [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]] for most of the [[Second World War]] and again from 1951 to 1955.  

Churchill was a leader of the Liberal Party before it collapsed in the 1920s; then he rejoined the [[Conservative Party (UK)]]. Although he supported the beginning of the welfare state around 1910, he was temperamentally and culturally a [[conservative]], and though in his youth a [[liberal]] socially, soon became a conservative as the liberals ramped up criticism of the empire. He became a leading opponent of [[socialism]] after 1945, as well as an opponent of Gandhi's movement for the independence of India after 1930. Winston Churchill was [[racist]] against Indians and Hindus. When Leopold Amery, the British secretary of state, told him that rotting corpses lined the streets of Calcutta, Winston Churchill by saying, "I hate Indians." "They are a beastly people with a beastly religion."<ref>https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3005838/churchills-real-darkest-hour-new-evidence-confirms-british</ref>  He was one of the few leaders to achieve high office in both World Wars and to write profusely about his experiences.

Churchill was a leader of the Liberal Party before it collapsed in the 1920s; then he rejoined the [[Conservative Party (UK)]]. Although he supported the beginning of the welfare state around 1910, he was temperamentally and culturally a [[conservative]], and though in his youth a [[liberal]] socially, soon became a conservative as the liberals ramped up criticism of the empire. He became a leading opponent of [[socialism]] after 1945, as well as an opponent of Gandhi's movement for the independence of India after 1930. Winston Churchill was [[racist]] against Indians and Hindus. When Leopold Amery, the British secretary of state, told him that rotting corpses lined the streets of Calcutta, Winston Churchill by saying, "I hate Indians." "They are a beastly people with a beastly religion."<ref>https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3005838/churchills-real-darkest-hour-new-evidence-confirms-british</ref>  He was one of the few leaders to achieve high office in both World Wars and to write profusely about his experiences.

===1920s===

===1920s===

As Colonial Secretary in 1921-22, he advocated the dropping of poison gas on rebellious tribes of Iraqi Arabs  [http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHU407A.html] and during this period Churchill enjoyed two notable diplomatic achievements. At the 1921 Cairo conference, he helped establish the borders of the modern [[Middle East]], though he failed in his attempt to set up a Kurdish homeland "to protect the Kurds against some future bully in [[Iraq]]." Closer to home, he helped to forge the Irish Treaty, which kept the peace in Ireland for 50 years. Michael Collins, the IRA revolutionary with whom Churchill negotiated, said from his deathbed: "Tell Winston we could have done nothing without him."  

As Colonial Secretary in 1921–22, he advocated the dropping of poison gas on rebellious tribes of Iraqi Arabs  [http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHU407A.html] and during this period Churchill enjoyed two notable diplomatic achievements. At the 1921 Cairo conference, he helped establish the borders of the modern [[Middle East]], though he failed in his attempt to set up a Kurdish homeland "to protect the Kurds against some future bully in [[Iraq]]." Closer to home, he helped to forge the Irish Treaty, which kept the peace in Ireland for 50 years. Michael Collins, the IRA revolutionary with whom Churchill negotiated, said from his deathbed: "Tell Winston we could have done nothing without him."  

In 1924, Churchill rejoined the Conservatives, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer through spring 1929. He returned Britain to the gold standard and ran a government newspaper, ''The British Gazette'', during the general strike of 1926, and is still remembered in South Wales as the politician who sent tanks onto the streets to force striking miners back to work.  

In 1924, Churchill rejoined the Conservatives, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer through spring 1929. He returned Britain to the gold standard and ran a government newspaper, ''The British Gazette'', during the general strike of 1926, and is still remembered in South Wales as the politician who sent tanks onto the streets to force striking miners back to work.  

By 1940 Churchill had developed close ties with U.S. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], he secured American military aid and financial support, but his ultimate goal was to have America fighting at Britain's side. Together they proclaimed the "[[Atlantic Charter]]" in 1941. The U.S. became the "Arsenal of Democracy," using [[Lend Lease]] to send $50 billion in military supplies to the Allies; most went to Britain, which in turn sent munitions to Russia.<ref>Lend Lease was free and did not have to be repaid, although transport ships were to be returned after the war, and some were.</ref> When the United States declared war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, Churchill admitted that he "slept the sleep of the saved and the thankful."   

By 1940 Churchill had developed close ties with U.S. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], he secured American military aid and financial support, but his ultimate goal was to have America fighting at Britain's side. Together they proclaimed the "[[Atlantic Charter]]" in 1941. The U.S. became the "Arsenal of Democracy," using [[Lend Lease]] to send $50 billion in military supplies to the Allies; most went to Britain, which in turn sent munitions to Russia.<ref>Lend Lease was free and did not have to be repaid, although transport ships were to be returned after the war, and some were.</ref> When the United States declared war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, Churchill admitted that he "slept the sleep of the saved and the thankful."   

Europe was the centre of his attention; the Australians complained about his neglect of their interests (and turned to the U.S. for protection). Recalling the horrible death tolls of 1914-1918, he was reluctant to invade France, proposing instead invasions of North Africa and Italy (which took place in 1942-43) and the Balkans (which did not happen). Churchill strongly supported the strategic air campaign that bombed enemy cities, railyards and oil refineries. He worked very well with [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], the American general in overall command of the invasion of France that was launched successfully in June 1944. Despite complaints by senior generals and admirals that Churchill interfered too much in military matters, he was successful in balancing the economic, manpower, diplomatic, psychological and military dimensions of the war.

Europe was the centre of his attention; the Australians complained about his neglect of their interests (and turned to the U.S. for protection). Recalling the horrible death tolls of 1914–1918, he was reluctant to invade France, proposing instead invasions of North Africa and Italy (which took place in 1942–43) and the Balkans (which did not happen). Churchill strongly supported the strategic air campaign that bombed enemy cities, railyards and oil refineries. He worked very well with [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], the American general in overall command of the invasion of France that was launched successfully in June 1944. Despite complaints by senior generals and admirals that Churchill interfered too much in military matters, he was successful in balancing the economic, manpower, diplomatic, psychological and military dimensions of the war.

===Defeat in 1945===

===Defeat in 1945===

==Churchill as historian==

==Churchill as historian==

Churchill was a prolific historian with a lively style and a very wide audience who authored his books under the pen name "Winston S. Churchill."  He won the 1953 [[Nobel Prize]] for [[Literature]], bestowed for his numerous books on history, biography and politics. His greatest biography was ''Marlborough'' (4 volumes, 1933–38); his best-known historical work was ''A History of the English-Speaking Peoples'' (4 volumes, 1956-1958). His personal memoirs, ''My Early Life'' (1930), ''The World Crisis'' (5 volumes, 1923–31) and ''The Second World War'' (6 volumes, 1948–53) are readable personal accounts of his Victorian youth and the two world wars. In all, Churchill wrote over 40 titles in over 60 volumes, nearly 1,000 articles and uncounted speeches.  Having an immense vocabulary, Churchill is estimated to have used 45,000 to 60,000 different words  in his works, which exceeded that of even [[Shakespeare]].

Churchill was a prolific historian with a lively style and a very wide audience who authored his books under the pen name "Winston S. Churchill."  He won the 1953 [[Nobel Prize]] for [[Literature]], bestowed for his numerous books on history, biography and politics. His greatest biography was ''Marlborough'' (4 volumes, 1933–38); his best-known historical work was ''A History of the English-Speaking Peoples'' (4 volumes, 1956–1958). His personal memoirs, ''My Early Life'' (1930), ''The World Crisis'' (5 volumes, 1923–31) and ''The Second World War'' (6 volumes, 1948–53) are readable personal accounts of his Victorian youth and the two world wars. In all, Churchill wrote over 40 titles in over 60 volumes, nearly 1,000 articles and uncounted speeches.  Having an immense vocabulary, Churchill is estimated to have used 45,000 to 60,000 different words  in his works, which exceeded that of even [[Shakespeare]].

Churchill wrote ''Lord Randolph Churchill'', a two-volume biography of his father which was published in 1906 and received much critical acclaim.  Some historians  suggest Churchill used the book in part to vindicate his own career and in particular to justify crossing the floor.<ref>James, ''Churchill a study in failure''  p34-35</ref>  His ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923–31) was a broad-scale history of the First World War, with Churchill never far offstage. His greatest work was, ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948–53), using secret papers not available to other for many years; he did not reveal the prime secret of breaking the German codes (which was revealed in the early 1970s). Churchill's highly detailed narrative structured much of the historiography for the first decade or two after the war, especially in his analysis and denunciation of the appeasement policy of the late 1930s.<ref>See Reynolds (2001) and Reynolds (2005)</ref>

Churchill wrote ''Lord Randolph Churchill'', a two-volume biography of his father which was published in 1906 and received much critical acclaim.  Some historians  suggest Churchill used the book in part to vindicate his own career and in particular to justify crossing the floor.<ref>James, ''Churchill a study in failure''  p34-35</ref>  His ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923–31) was a broad-scale history of the First World War, with Churchill never far offstage. His greatest work was, ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948–53), using secret papers not available to other for many years; he did not reveal the prime secret of breaking the German codes (which was revealed in the early 1970s). Churchill's highly detailed narrative structured much of the historiography for the first decade or two after the war, especially in his analysis and denunciation of the appeasement policy of the late 1930s.<ref>See Reynolds (2001) and Reynolds (2005)</ref>

* Lukacs, John. ''Churchill: Visionary, Statesman, Historian''  2002. 202pp, interpretive essays

* Lukacs, John. ''Churchill: Visionary, Statesman, Historian''  2002. 202pp, interpretive essays

* Marder, Arthur. ''Winston is back: Churchill at the admiralty, 1939–1940'' (1973)

* Marder, Arthur. ''Winston is back: Churchill at the admiralty, 1939–1940'' (1973)

* Massie, Robert  ''Dreadnought: Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War''; ch 40-41 on Churchill at Admiralty

* Massie, Robert  ''Dreadnought: Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War''; ch 40–41 on Churchill at Admiralty

* Maurer, John H.  "The 'Ever-Present Danger': Winston Churchill's Assessment of the German Naval Challenge before the First World War" in John H. Maurer, ed. ''Churchill and Strategic Dilemmas before the World Wars'' (2003) pp 7–50 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108530166# online edition]

* Maurer, John H.  "The 'Ever-Present Danger': Winston Churchill's Assessment of the German Naval Challenge before the First World War" in John H. Maurer, ed. ''Churchill and Strategic Dilemmas before the World Wars'' (2003) pp 7–50 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108530166# online edition]

* Miner, Steven Merritt. ''Between Churchill and Stalin: The Soviet Union, Great Britain, and the Origins of the Grand Alliance'' (1988) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=3063617 online edition]

* Miner, Steven Merritt. ''Between Churchill and Stalin: The Soviet Union, Great Britain, and the Origins of the Grand Alliance'' (1988) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=3063617 online edition]

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1906) [https://books.google.com/books?id=u_PW93hcmBAC&pg=PA1&dq=inauthor:winston+inauthor:churchill&num=30#PPR13,M1 online edition]

* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1906) [https://books.google.com/books?id=u_PW93hcmBAC&pg=PA1&dq=inauthor:winston+inauthor:churchill&num=30#PPR13,M1 online edition]

* Churchill, Winston. ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923&ndash;31), 1-vol edition (2005); on World War I. Vol. I, 1911-1914; Vol. II, 1915; Vol. III, 1916-1918 Part I; Vol. IV, 1916-1918 Part II; and Vol. V: The Aftermath.  

* Churchill, Winston. ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923&ndash;31), 1-vol edition (2005); on World War I. Vol. I, 1911–1914; Vol. II, 1915; Vol. III, 1916-1918 Part I; Vol. IV, 1916-1918 Part II; and Vol. V: The Aftermath.  

* Churchill, Winston. ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948&ndash;53); ''Vol. I, The Gathering Storm; Vol. II, Their Finest Hour; Vol. III, The Grand Alliance; Vol. IV, The Hinge of Fate; Vol. V, Closing the Ring; and Vol. VI, Triumph and Tragedy;'' [https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Second-World-Abridgement-Volumes/dp/0395599687/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search from 1-vol. abridged edition (1991)]; [https://www.amazon.com/Second-World-War-Six-Boxed/dp/039541685X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search complete edition]

* Churchill, Winston. ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948&ndash;53); ''Vol. I, The Gathering Storm; Vol. II, Their Finest Hour; Vol. III, The Grand Alliance; Vol. IV, The Hinge of Fate; Vol. V, Closing the Ring; and Vol. VI, Triumph and Tragedy;'' [https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Second-World-Abridgement-Volumes/dp/0395599687/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search from 1-vol. abridged edition (1991)]; [https://www.amazon.com/Second-World-War-Six-Boxed/dp/039541685X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search complete edition]

* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1907) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5477600 online edition], biography of his father

* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1907) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5477600 online edition], biography of his father

* Gilbert, Martin, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: Companion'' 15 vol  (14,000 pages) of Churchill and other official and unofficial documents. Part 1:  I.  Youth, 1874-1900, 1966, 654 pp. (2 vol); II.  Young Statesman, 1901-1914, 1967, 796 pp. (3 vol); III.  The Challenge of War, 1914-1916, 1971, 1024 pp. (3 vol); IV.  The Stricken World, 1916-1922, 1975, 984 pp. (2 vol); Part 2: The Prophet of Truth, 1923-1939, 1977, 1195 pp. (3 vol); II.  Finest Hour, 1939-1941, 1983, 1328 pp. (2 vol entitled The Churchill War Papers); III.  Road to Victory, 1941-1945, 1986, 1437 pp. (not published, 4 volumes are anticipated); IV.  Never Despair, 1945-1965, 1988, 1438 pp. (not published, 3 volumes anticipated, See the editor's memoir) Martin Gilbert, ''In Search of Churchill: A Historian's Journey,'' (1994).

* Gilbert, Martin, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: Companion'' 15 vol  (14,000 pages) of Churchill and other official and unofficial documents. Part 1:  I.  Youth, 1874–1900, 1966, 654 pp. (2 vol); II.  Young Statesman, 1901–1914, 1967, 796 pp. (3 vol); III.  The Challenge of War, 1914–1916, 1971, 1024 pp. (3 vol); IV.  The Stricken World, 1916–1922, 1975, 984 pp. (2 vol); Part 2: The Prophet of Truth, 1923–1939, 1977, 1195 pp. (3 vol); II.  Finest Hour, 1939–1941, 1983, 1328 pp. (2 vol entitled The Churchill War Papers); III.  Road to Victory, 1941–1945, 1986, 1437 pp. (not published, 4 volumes are anticipated); IV.  Never Despair, 1945–1965, 1988, 1438 pp. (not published, 3 volumes anticipated, See the editor's memoir) Martin Gilbert, ''In Search of Churchill: A Historian's Journey,'' (1994).

* James, Robert Rhodes, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: His Complete Speeches, 1897-1963.'' 8 vols. London: Chelsea, 1974, 8917 pp.  

* James, Robert Rhodes, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: His Complete Speeches, 1897-1963.'' 8 vols. London: Chelsea, 1974, 8917 pp.  

*David Coombs, ''Sir Winston Churchill, His life through his paintings,'' Pegasus, 2003

*David Coombs, ''Sir Winston Churchill, His life through his paintings,'' Pegasus, 2003