Which political qualities enabled Churchill's 'success' as wartime Prime Minister?

Kathrin Rosenbaum

• Publisher: GRIN Verlag
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9783668097056
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: English Language
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

Essay from the year 2008 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 2, 7, The University of Western Australia (Arts, Humanities and Social Studies), course: Britain in the 20th century, language: English, abstract: Being hailed by many as 'the greatest living Englishman', Churchill played probably the most decisive role in Britain's 20th century politics. Churchill's unconditional love for the British Empire combined with his determination for expanding and defending it were his overall motivation for an active political life that spanned a period of more than half a century.An essential contribution to Churchill's 'success' as a war leader was his unflagging commitment. According to Callahan, Churchill believed himself to be a man of destiny, who saw all his past life as a preparation for becoming PM one day, a vision he had repeatedly imposed on strangers. This vision and its final implementation generated his incredible force and conviction in wielding power during the war. Despite the clear fact that the British army's leadership, equipment, training and techniques were insufficient to defeat Hitler Germany, he never lost faith in the war's final outcome. Churchill showed his fiercedetermination by sustaining a ninety-hour week during his whole premiership. Even a heart attack and a bout of pneumonia in his late sixties could not dissuade him from running the office. However, it was not only his unbreakable commitment that built up his popular constituency within the common citizenry but also his ability to relate to common people. Developing his own trademarks – the two-finger 'V' sign, the ever-present cigar – he toured embattled cities and soon became 'Good old Winnie'. This popularity was reflectedthrough rather uncommonly high ratings, such as the Gallup Poll in October 1940 immediately after the battle of Britain, which gave a popular approval rating of 89% for Churchill.