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[[File: Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px250px|Winston Churchill - 1940]] Winston Churchill led an extraordinary life, but perhaps the most remarkable element in his life was how he became prime minister in 1940. Just a few years earlier he was widely seen as politically isolated and was widely ridiculed for his views. Yet in In 1940, he was appointed his nation’s Prime Minister at its darkest hours and became the leader of the fight against Nazi Germany. <ref> Hastings, Max. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0007263678/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0007263678&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c5315e5d93a61b09289d8c7fda91f3e3 Finest Years: Churchill as Warlord, 1940–45]''. (London: Harper Press, 2009), p. 112.</ref> The reasons for this astounding change Churchill’s political fortunes changed because of political fortune was due to Churchill’s his unstinting opposition to Nazi Germany and the realization by Parliament that he his leadership was the leader what Britain needed in its most desperate hour.

==Background==Winston Churchill was born into one of Britain’s leading political Germany's actions became increasingly aggressive and aristocratic families. His father Randolph Churchill was one of they re-occupied the leading political figures of his time. <ref>Hastings, pRhineland. 13</ref> Churchillwarned against German aggression, from his youth, was a charismatic figure. He earned fame while still in his twenties, as a war journalist and for his exploits during the Boer War. Churchill joined the Conservative Party and eventually elected an M.P. During the First World War, he served as First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-15), stated in effect, he was in command of the British navy. Churchill was later forced several fiery speeches that Germany posed an existential threat to resign after the failure of the Gallipoli landings, peace in 1915Europe. Churchill later served as an officer in the British army on the western front. After the war, he joined the British Liberal Party and was to serve as the Chancellor of the ExchequerHowever, when he was widely seen as making critical mistakes, that led to an economic downturn in Britaindismissed at this time.<ref> Charmley, John (1993). ''ChurchillJames, The End of Glory: A Political Biography''. London: Hodder & Stoughton p. 117 211</ref> By the 1930’s he was Still many in the political wilderness. However, he was a well-known figure elite in Britain and was genuinely popular. Churchill became famous for his journalism and his historical works. In 1935, he re-joined the ConservativeS, and sat as an M.P. in at this time favored appeasing Germany because they believed that Germany had been too harshly treated under the House Treaty of Commons. <ref>Charmley, p. 117</ref> His fame rested on his magnificent use of the spoken and the written languageVersailles.

==Appeasement==[[File:Winston_Churchill_1874_-_1965_ZZZ5426F_(1).jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Winston Churchill in military uniform in 1895]]Europe in The British governments of Baldwin and later Chamberlin and the 1930's, saw French favored the rise policy of dictators in Europe, as democracies collapsed, in the aftermath of the Great Depressionappeasement. Hitler seized power in They were willing to allow Germany to reassert itself on the continent and he immediately began to establish a dictatorship in pursue its interests. This policy of appeasement was intended to prevent Germanyfrom going to war. He dismantled By the provisions of the Versailles Treaty mid-1930s, Germany and contrary to its termsFascist Italy were becoming increasingly belligerent. The Italians invaded Ethiopia, he expanded the army and rapidly began to rebuilt the Germany arms industriesoccupied Austria.<ref> James, Robert Rhodes. Churchill: ''A Study in Failure, 1900–1939''(Harper Press, London, 1970)Hastings, p. 134 117 </ref> Soon Still the German’s were acting in an aggressive manner, for example, they re-occupied the RhinelandBritish and French governments did nothing. Churchill warned against this condemned the aggression of Italy and Germany, and he stated in fiery speeches that Hitler was a danger to peace in Europe. However, lamented what he was widely dismissed at this timesaw as the weakness and cowardice of the British and French governments. <ref> James''The Times of London'', p. 21113 June 1936</ref> The political elite in Britain at this time favoured a He argued that their policy of appeasement, many believed that was wrong and would only lead to a war. He called on them to stand up to Germany had been before it was too harshly treated under the Treaty of Versailleslate.

The British governments of Baldwin and later ChamberlinIn 1938, favoured, with Germany demanded the French return of the policy of appeasement. That was to allow Sudetenland, a German -speaking area in Czechoslovakia to reassert itself on the continent and to pursue its own interestsGermany. This policy of appeasement would mean that the Germans would not go almost led to a war. By However, Chamberlin, the mid-1930scurrent British Prime Minister, Nazi Germany, and Fascist Italy were becoming increasingly belligerent. The Italians invaded Ethiopia and allowed the Germans to occupy the Sudetenland in exchange for German reassurances that they would seek no more territory in Europe in the Nazis occupied Austriaso-called Munich Agreement of 1938.<ref> Hastings, p. 117 134</ref> Still Within months, Hitler had broken the British agreement, and French governments did nothingby 1939, it was widely expected that Europe would once again be plunged into war. Churchill condemned the aggression of Italy and Germany and he deploredhad predicted this, what he saw as the weakness and cowardice of the British and French governments, in many speeches in the House of Commons and in newspaper articlespublic recognized that their government’s policies had been ill-advised.<ref>''The Times of London''Hastings, 13 June 1936p. 119</ref> He argued Many believed that their policy of appeasement was wrong and would only if Churchill had been heeded, Germany might have been stopped. Churchill became the most popular politician in Britain. Many began to call for him to lead to the country. These people even included those who had previously derided him as a war crank. Churchill was viewed as remarkably prescient and he called on them to stand up to Hitler before it was too latewho potentially understood Germany's ultimate goals better than anyone else in Parliament.

==How did Neville Chamberlin react to Germany's invasion of Poland?==[[File: Wc0107-04780r.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Winston Churchill- 1940]]In 1938September 1939, Germany demanded the return of the Sudetenland, a German-speaking area in Czechoslovakia to war machine invaded Poland. Then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin declared war on Germany. This almost led to The British adopted a warcautious policy. However, Chamberlin, They sent the current British Prime Minister, allowed the Germans Expeditionary Force to occupy France. Both the Sudetenland in exchange Allied British and French adopted a defensive posture and waited for a German reassurances that they would seek no more territory in Europe in attack. This action was derisively referred to as the Phoney War because were the so-called Munich Agreement of 1938allies were waiting for Germany’s next move. <ref>Hastings, p. 134117 </ref> Within monthsChamberlin knew that Churchill, Hitler had broken was wildly popular, and he invited him to join the agreement and by 1939, it was widely expected that Europe would once again be plunged into war. Churchill, had predicted much cabinet as the First Lord of this and the British public recognized that their government’s had been wrong. <ref> HastingsAdmiralty, p. 119</ref> Many believed on the day that if Churchill had been heeded, Hitler may have been stoppedBritain declared war on Germany. Churchill became the most popular politician in Britain. Many began to call prepare the British navy for him to lead the country. These people even included those who had previously derided him as a crank. Churchill was viewed as remarkably prescient and who potentially understood war against Germany's ultimate goals better than anyone else in Parliament.

==Outbreak of War==[[File: Wc0107-04780r.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Winston Churchill- 1940]]In September 1939, the German war machine invaded Poland. The Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin declared war on Nazi Germany. The British adopted a cautious policy. The send the British Expeditionary Force to France. The Allied British and French adopted a defensive posture and waited for a German attack. This was the period of the Phoney War, where the allies waited for Hitler’s next move.<ref>Hastings, p. 117 </ref> Chamberlin knew that Churchill, was wildly popular, and he invited him to join the war cabinet and the First Lord of the Admiralty, on the day that Britain declared war on Germany. Churchill began to prepare the British navy for war against Germany. Many believed that Chamberlin invited Churchill to join the war cabinet to ensure that he did not cause problems for the government in the House of Commons. It proved to be a popular move and the public welcomed Churchill’s return to the cabinet. Poland was defeated within weeks by Germany and after the Molotovdh-Rippentrop pact, Hitler turned his attention west towards France. Churchill argued strongly in favor of an aggressive strategy. He wanted the British and French to attack Germany and he proposed that the Allies occupy Norway, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Germans.<ref>Hastings, 211</ref> In the Spring of 1940, the German navy and army attacked Norway, even though it was a neutral nation. Like Churchill, Germany realized that Norway had great strategic importance. When Germany invaded Norway it was the main source of their iron ore and they need to keep Norway's iron ore following to Germany. <ref>Hastings, p. 117 <ad/ref>

==Battle of Norway== The Allies dispatched forces to Norway Many believed that Chamberlin invited Churchill to help join the Norwegian army war cabinet to beat back ensure that he did not cause problems for the German invaders, but it was too late. The Germans landed paratroopers government in the country and rapidly reinforced these forces with several divisions House of German infantryCommons. Germany quickly It proved to be a popular move, and easily defeated the Norwegian armypublic welcomed Churchill’s return to the cabinet. The French Poland was defeated within weeks by Germany, and after the British arrived too late and in too few numbersMolotov-Rippentrop pact, Hitler turned his attention west towards France.The Norwegian army regrouped Churchill argued strongly in the north favor of an aggressive strategy. He wanted the country, here they were joined by British and French forces. There were several fierce battles to attack Germany, and he proposed that the Allies out up a fierce resistance. The Allies and the Norwegian were forced occupy Norway, to evacuate their units prevent it from falling into the Norwegian port hands of Narvikthe Germans.<ref>Hastings, taking with them 211</ref> In the king Spring of Norway 1940, the German navy and his government. The ‘loss’ of army attacked Norway caused consternation in Britain and many feared that , even though it could be used as was a base to attack the British mainlandneutral nation. Once again Like Churchill , Germany realized that Norway had been proven right and if he had been heeded the allies could have held Norwaygreat strategic importance. The public outcry over When Germany invaded Norway meant that people had lost faith in , it was the Conservative government main source of their iron ore, and resulted in calls for the resignation of Neville Chamberlinthey need to keep Norway's iron ore flowing to Germany.<ref> Hastings, 213p. 117 </ref> Many Conservatives believed that it was time for a change, for the good of the country.

==Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister May 1940Why did British citizens lose faith in Chamberlain?==On May 10th, The Allies dispatched forces to Norway to help the Germans invaded western Europe.<ref> ''The Times of London'', 11 May 1940 </ref> They launched coordinated attacks on Norwegian army to beat back the NetherlandsGerman invaders, Belgium, and France. London but it was in a panic and many believed that a German victory was inevitabletoo late. The British people demanded that a National Government, be put Germans landed paratroopers in place, comprising the Conservative, Labour country and the Liberal Party. It was believed that such were the dangers that only a National Government, as in World War I could save the country. It was widely believed that Lord Halifax would become prime minister, but he was unwilling. He had been too much associated rapidly reinforced these forces with the appeasement policy several divisions of EuropeGerman infantry. It was rumored that Halifax had been to seeking peace with Germanyquickly and easily defeated the Norwegian army. The public was overwhelmingly favored Churchill French and they saw him as someone who could lead their country to victory. However, many of the British political elite believed that Churchill was a maverick arrived too late and in too unpredictablefew numbers. Perhaps cruciallyThe Norwegian army regrouped in the north of the country, Churchill was favored where they were joined by the British armed and French forces. He was genuinely popular with the rank and file. AdditionallyThere were several fierce battles, British officers and saw Churchill as someone who could successfully fight Germanythe Allies put up fierce resistance.

The Allies and the Norwegian were forced to evacuate their units from the Norwegian port of Narvik, taking with them the king of Norway and his government. The ‘loss’ of Norway caused consternation in Britain, and many feared that it could be used as a base to attack the British mainland. Once again Churchill had been proven right and if he had been heeded the allies could have held Norway. The public outcry over Norway meant that people had lost faith in the Conservative government and resulted in calls for the resignation of Neville Chamberlin.<ref> Hastings, 213</ref> Many Conservatives believed that it was time for a change, for the good of the country. ==Why was Churchill appointed to Prime Minister May 1940?==On May 10th, the Germans invaded western Europe.<ref>''The Times of London'', 11 May 1940 </ref> They launched coordinated attacks on the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. London was in a panic, and many believed that a German victory was inevitable. The British people demanded that a National Government, be put in place, comprising the Conservative, Labour and the Liberal Party. It was believed that such were the dangers that only a National HeroGovernment, as in World War I could save the country. Lord Halifax was an early favorite to become prime minister, but he was unwilling. His candiacy also was tainted by his support of Chamberlain's the appeasement policy. It was rumored that Halifax had been to seeking peace with Germany.  The public overwhelmingly supported Churchill, and they saw him as someone who could lead their country. However, many of the British political elite believed that Churchill was a maverick and too unpredictable. Perhaps crucially, Churchill was also favored by the British armed forces. He was genuinely popular with the rank and file. Additionally, British officers and saw Churchill as someone who could successfully fight Germany. ==Which parties supported Churchill for prime minister? ==The Conservative government, under popular pressure, asked the other parties to form a National Government. However, when the Labour Party and Liberal Party voted to join the National Government, they stated that the they preferred Churchill as the leader.<ref>''The Times of London'', 12 May 1940</ref> This support was mainly based on his unflinching long-term opposition to the NazisHitler's Germany. Churchill, because of his many years warning 's warnings about the NazisGermany and fascism were proved correct, and he was the only senior political figure with the moral authority and popularity to lead the nation. After allUltimately, the parties agreed to for form a National Government, the King then called for Churchill and ‘invited’ him to become Prime Minister. It was a popular choice in the country, ; the public wanted a war leader someone who would unite and inspire the country to victory. Churchill was to prove to be the leader that Britain and the free world needed. He knew that Britain prevented Europe and much of the world succumbing to Nazi Germany.

"Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands."<ref> Winston Churchill. ''Historic Speeches'', June 18, 1940.</ref> He promised the British victory and he would prove true to his promise. Immediately, he He faced numerous various crises as challenges within weeks of his appointment, . Germany conquered France and much of Western Europe was conquered by Germany. Churchill was to ignore ignored all pleas to enter into peace negotiations with the Germans, believing Germany. He believed that one could not it would be impossible to reach an agreement with Germany because the Germans who were government was bent on world domination. He was proved to prove be a brilliant war-leader and he inspired helped lead his country to victory in the Battle of Britain, that saved . The Battle of Britain from a Nazi permanently stalled the planned German invasion and occupation. The appointment of Winston Churchill in May 1940 probably saved Britain and ultimately laid the foundation for the Allied victory over the Nazis.

The appointment of Winston Churchill, as Prime Minister was a remarkable turn of events. He had been in the political wilderness for some time. However, his tireless steadfast opposition to the appeasement of Hitler, his great oratory skills , and writings preserved his presence ensured that he remained a political force during this time. Eventually, his firmly held increased beliefs and courage increased his popularity in Britain overcome and even overcame the British Establishment's distrust of him.His moral authority and clear understanding of Hitler's motives encouraged his country to call on him at its darkest hour. ====References====<references/><div class="portal" style="'float:left; width:8535%;"'> ====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[What were the goals of the Axis powers and the Soviet Union during {{#dpl:category=World War Two?]]*[[How Did the German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?]]*[[What was the impact of the Irish Famine on Ireland and the world?]]*[[How did Mussolini become Prime Minister of Italy?]]*[[The Nazi triumph: how did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer of Germany?]]*[[Why was France defeated in 1940?]]History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}