The Life of Winston Churchill

By: Drew Hyer

Early Life

Born on November 30, 1874 Father, Lord Randolph Churchill Mother, Lady Randolph Churchill Born in Oxfordshire One brother, John Strange Spencer-Churchill Very rebellious as a child

Early Education

Three independent schools St. Georges School, Brunswick School, and

Harrow School Always was getting in trouble Began military career at Harrow Entered Harrow Rifle Corps

Harrow Rifle Corps

Combined Cadet Force Youth organization for military Develop military skills and leadership Churchill joined after entering the Harrow

School CCF is still around today

Military Career

Left Harrow and applied to attend the Royal Military Academy

After being accepted he entered the cavalry branch

Earned a Second Lieutenant in the Fourth Queen’s Own Hussars

Later was honored with Colonel

Military Continued

Traveled to Cuba to write about the Spanish fighting the Cubans

Went with British Army to fight in Malakand Churchill was transferred to Egypt in 1898 While in South Africa he was captured and

put in a prison camp He escaped and traveled very far to Portugal

Military Continued

In 1900, Churchill retired from the army and joined the Imperial Yeomanry

Captain in the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars

Promoted to Major and commanded the Henley Squadron

In 1916 he transferred to territorial reserves and retired in 1924

Marriage and Children

Married Clementine Hozier on September 12, 1908

5 Children Diana Randolph Sarah Marigold Mary

Early Politics

Elected seat of Oldham in 1900 Associated with the Conservative party Campaigned for free trade Joined the Liberal Party in 1904 In 1908, promoted to the Cabinet as

President of the Board of Trade Started minimum wages, and helped the

unemployed

President of the Budget League Introduced new taxes on wealthy Bill sent to the Commons then the House of

Lords where it was vetoed Won two general elections to get bill passed Passed in 1911 In 1910 Churchill was promoted to Home

Secretary

World War I

Churchill took a break from politics and commanded troops

Commanded the 6th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers

In 1917, he was appointed Chief on Munitions

In 1919, appointed Secretary of State for War and Secretary of State for Air

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed in 1924 under Stanley Baldwin

Oversaw Britain’s return to the Gold Standard Greatest mistake of his life

Resulted in deflation and unemployment

General Strike of 1926

Prime Minister

Britain declared war on Germany in 1939 In 1940 Prime Minister Chamberlin resigned

People had no faith in him after negotiation with Hitler

George VI asked Churchill to be Prime Minister

Refused to sign armistice with Hitler During term he gave many great speeches

Churchill and The United States Good relationship with

Franklin D. Roosevelt After Pearl Harbor Churchill

was happy because he knew the US was in the war

Together they held conferences about issues

Roosevelt provided military shipping to Britain to help with war

Dresden Bombings

Churchill responsible for Britain's bombings People consider the bombings a war crime City contained refugees and wounded City was destroyed British and American bombers were help

responsible

End of World War II

On May 7, 1945 the allies accepted German surrender

In Europe, known as Victory in Europe Day Churchill told nation that the Germans had

surrendered Promised the people a defeat of Japan

Third World War

Churchill developed a plan where they would surprise attack Soviet troops

Plan was rejected This led to the beginning of the arms race Third World War developed into the Cold War

1945 Election

Much support in British population but failed to be re-elected

People didn’t see him as being peaceful Was able to lead war but couldn’t clean it up Served as Leader of the Opposition Argued for independence from the European

Coal and Steel Community

1951 Elections

Elected Prime Minster again Decline in military and prestige Supported Britain being an international

power Sent troops to Kenya to suppress a Mau Mau

(rebels) rebellion Led to the Malayan Emergency

War in Malaya

Rebellion against British rule

Churchill chose military action

Tried to build alliance with those who were not rebelling

Rebellion was finally defeated

Colonial rule no longer existed for Britain

United States Relations

Churchill devoted a lot of time

Didn’t get along with President Dwight Eisenhower

Tried to maintain a steady relationship with United States

Made four trips to US in second term

Health Issues

Throughout his life he suffered from several minor strokes

In 1953 he suffered a major stroke which affected his speech and ability to walk

He slowly recovered

Retirement and Death

Spent most of retirement at Chartwell and in London

For a long time he battled depression In 1965 he suffered a severe stroke that left

him ill He died on January 24, 1965 Age 90

Funeral

Body was laid in state 19 gun salute and fighter jets flew over Casket taken from Waterloo Station to

Bladon Buried at St. Martin’s Church Thousands paid respect as the train made its

journey

Hobbies

Very fond of painting impressionist

Painted to overcome his depression

Enjoyed painting landscapes

Most paintings are oil based

Did a number of interior designs and portraits

Hobbies

Made a living off of writing

Wrote for magazines and newspapers

In 1936, he wrote a article about how Hitler will rise to power

He warned the people of his danger and ability

Hobbies

Wrote novels Awarded the Nobel

Prize in literature Most famous works of

art The Second World War A History of the English-

Speaking Peoples

Famous Quotes

“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside and enigma.”

“Clement Attlee is a modest man who has a good deal to be modest about.”

“Democracy is the worst form of Government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Famous Quotes

“History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”

“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” “Everyone has his day and some days last

longer than others.” “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears,

and sweat “Study history, study history.”

Finish

Churchill greatly impacted the world in many different ways

His views on politics still affect the world today

To many he was a great man