ere he earned his reputation as a social reformer, setting up unemploymentpay, as well as a job placement service. Later, after a temporary resignation in 1916, hefought in the trenches in the World War. In modern history, few men of Churchill’simportance have risked their lives on the battlefield. But his values were truly tested whenEngland stood actionless while Adolf Hitler slowly threatened the freedom of Europe.Great Britain, worried about economic recovery from the depression, chose to appeaseHitler rather than arm the military in case of a German strike. Churchill, ever theopponent of tyranny, warned repeatedly of Hitler’s rise in power. Germany finallyfulfilled Churchill’s prophecy by invading Poland on September 1, 1939. When Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister in 1940 he wasimmediately faced with two choices; continue the war, therefore pushing Britain furtherinto debt, as well as inflicting thousands of English casualties, or attempt to negotiatewith Hitler. Negotiation may have saved thousands of British soldiers, but millions wouldhave paid the price in Hitler’s pursuit of a “purified” Europe. Ultimately, Churchill notonly backed the continued war effort, but through many rousing public addresses, gainedneeded support. Towards the end of his life Churchill once again championed againsttotalitarianism, this time against a Soviet “iron curtain” swallowing eastern Europeancountries. His acts and speeches challenged a dangerous post-war China and SovietUnion, countries not long before considered Great Britain’s allies. Though unpopular, thisserved as a final demonstration of Churchill’s eternal willingness to sacrifice popularityin the pursuit of his beliefs. Setbacks and Determination In no way was Winston Churchill perfect. Failure plagued his political career from thebeginning, but Churchill separated himself from lesser leaders by n...
