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[[File: Sir_Winston_S_Churchill.jpg|thumbnail|left|170px250px|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=Who was Churchill before he became Prime Minister?==Winston Churchill was born into one of Britain’s leading political and aristocratic families. His father Randolph Churchill was one of the leading political figures of his time. <ref>Hastings, p. 13</ref> Churchill, 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), in effect, he was in command of the British navy. In 1915, Churchill was later forced to resign after the failure failed invasion of the Gallipoli landings, in 1915. 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 Exchequer, when he was widely seen as making critical mistakes, that led to an economic downturn in Britain.<ref> Charmley, John (1993). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/015117881X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=015117881X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6bd136abde721a9dde6ae144ac1ce3dc Churchill, The End of Glory: A Political Biography]''. London: Hodder & Stoughton p. 117 </ref> By the 1930’s he was in the political wilderness. However, he was a well-known figure in Britain and was genuinely popular. Churchill became famous for his journalism and his historical works. In 1935, he re-joined the ConservativeS, Conservatives and sat as an M.P. in the House of Commons. <ref>Charmley, p. 117</ref> His fame rested on his magnificent use of the spoken eloquence as both a speaker and the written languagewriter.

==AppeasementWhy did Churchill see ultimate German's goals more clearly than other Politicians?==[[File:Winston_Churchill_1874_-_1965_ZZZ5426F_(1).jpg|thumbnail|left|200px250px|Winston Churchill in military uniform in 1895]]Europe in the 1930's1930s, saw the rise of dictators in Europe, as democracies collapsed, in the aftermath of the Great Depression. Germany's democratic government's power eroded during the depression and eventually collapsed. Germany began to dismantle the provisions of the Versailles Treaty and rapidly expand its army. The government invested heavily into the country's arms industry , and it was rapidly rebuilt.<ref> James, Robert Rhodes. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO1KMC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BO1KMC&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=220db8c453a51701fea9c803c9dfef97 Churchill: A Study in Failure, 1900–1939]''(Harper Press, London, 1970), p. 134 </ref> Germany's actions became increasing aggressive and they re-occupied the Rhineland. Churchill warned against German aggression and he stated in several fiery speeches that Germany posed an existential threat to peace in Europe. However, he was widely dismissed at this time.<ref>James, p. 211</ref> Still many in the political elite in Britain at this time favoured appeassing Germany because they believed that Germany had been too harshly treated under the Treaty of Versailles.

The British governments of Baldwin and later Chamberlin Germany's actions became increasingly aggressive and they re-occupied the French favoured the policy of appeasementRhineland. They were willing to allow Churchill warned against German aggression, and he stated in several fiery speeches that Germany posed an existential threat to reassert itself on the continent and to pursue its own interestspeace in Europe. This policy of appeasement However, he was intended to prevent Germany from goingto war. By the mid-1930s, Germany and Fascist Italy were becoming increasingly belligerent. The Italians invaded Ethiopia and the Gernmany occupied Austriawidely dismissed at this time.<ref> HastingsJames, p. 117 211</ref> Still many in the British and French governments did nothing. Churchill condemned the aggression of Italy and political elite in Britain at this time favored appeasing Germany and he deplored what he saw as the weakness and cowardice of the British and French governments.<ref>''The Times of London'', 13 June 1936</ref> He argued because they believed that their policy of appeasement was wrong and would only lead to a war. He called on them to stand up to Germany before it was had been too lateharshly treated under the Treaty of Versailles.

In 1938, Germany demanded The British governments of Baldwin and later Chamberlin and the French favored the return policy of appeasement. They were willing to allow Germany to reassert itself on the Sudetenland, a German-speaking area in Czechoslovakia continent and to Germanypursue its interests. This almost led policy of appeasement was intended to prevent Germany from going to a war. HoweverBy the mid-1930s, ChamberlinGermany and Fascist Italy were becoming increasingly belligerent. The Italians invaded Ethiopia, the current British Prime Minister, allowed the Germans to occupy the Sudetenland in exchange for German reassurances that they would seek no more territory in Europe in the so-called Munich Agreement of 1938and Germany occupied Austria. <ref>Hastings, p. 134117 </ref> Within months, Hitler had broken Still the agreement British and by 1939, it was widely expected that Europe would once again be plunged into warFrench governments did nothing. Churchill had predicted this condemned the aggression of Italy and Germany, and he lamented what he saw as the weakness and cowardice of the British public recognized that their government’s policies had been ill advisedand French governments.<ref>Hastings''The Times of London'', p. 11913 June 1936</ref> Many believed He argued that if Churchill had been heeded, Germany may have been stoppedtheir policy of appeasement was wrong and would only lead to a war. Churchill became the most popular politician in Britain. Many began He called on them to call for him stand up to lead the country. These people even included those who had previously derided him as a crank. Churchill Germany before it was viewed as remarkably prescient and who potentially understood Germany's ultimate goals better than anyone else in Parliamenttoo late.

==Outbreak of War==[[File: Wc0107-04780r.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Winston Churchill- 1940]]In September 19391938, Germany demanded the return of the Sudetenland, a German war machine invaded Poland. Then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin declared war on -speaking area in Czechoslovakia to Germany. The British adopted This almost led to a cautious policywar. The sent However, Chamberlin, the current British Expeditionary Force Prime Minister, allowed the Germans to France. Both occupy the Allied British and French adopted a defensive posture and waited Sudetenland in exchange for a German attack. This was reassurances that they would seek no more territory in Europe in the so-called the Phoney War because were the allies were waiting for Germany’s next moveMunich Agreement of 1938.<ref>Hastings, p. 117 134</ref> Chamberlin knew Within months, Hitler had broken the agreement, and by 1939, it was widely expected that Europe would once again be plunged into war. Churchill, was wildly popularhad predicted this, and he invited him to join the war cabinet as the First Lord of the AdmiraltyBritish public recognized that their government’s policies had been ill-advised.<ref>Hastings, on the day p. 119</ref> Many believed that Britain declared war on if Churchill had been heeded, Germanymight have been stopped. Churchill became the most popular politician in Britain. Many began to prepare call for him to lead the British navy for war against country. These people even included those who had previously derided him as a crank. Churchill was viewed as remarkably prescient and who potentially understood Germany's ultimate goals better than anyone else in Parliament.

Many believed that ==How did Neville Chamberlin invited react to Germany's invasion of Poland?==[[File: Wc0107-04780r.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Winston Churchill to join - 1940]]In September 1939, the German war cabinet to ensure that he did not cause problems for the government in the House of Commonsmachine invaded Poland. Then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin declared war on Germany. It proved to be The British adopted a popular move and cautious policy. They sent the public welcomed Churchill’s return British Expeditionary Force to the cabinet. Poland was defeated within weeks by Germany and after the Molotov-Rippentrop pact, Hitler turned his attention west towards France. Churchill argued strongly in favor of an aggressive strategy. He wanted Both the Allied British and French to adopted a defensive posture and waited for a German attack Germany and he proposed that the Allies occupy Norway, . This action was derisively referred to prevent it from falling into as the hands of Phoney War because were the Germansallies were waiting for Germany’s next move.<ref>Hastings, 211p. 117 </ref> In Chamberlin knew that Churchill, was wildly popular, and he invited him to join the war cabinet as the Spring First Lord of 1940the Admiralty, on the German navy and army attacked Norway, even though it was a neutral nationday that Britain declared war on Germany. Like Churchill, Germany realized that Norway had great strategic importance. When Germany invaded Norway, it was began to prepare the main source of their iron ore and they need to keep Norway's iron ore flowing to British navy for war against Germany. <ref>Hastings, p. 117 </ref>

==Battle of Norway== The Allies dispatched forces to Norway to help the Norwegian army to beat back the German invaders, but it was too late. The Germans landed paratroopers in the country and rapidly reinforced these forces with several divisions of German infantry. Germany quickly and easily defeated the Norwegian army. The French and the British arrived too late and in too few numbers.The Norwegian army regrouped in the north of the country, here they were joined by British and French forces. There were several fierce battles and the Allies out up a 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<dh-ad/ref> Many Conservatives believed that it was time for a change, for the good of the country.

==Churchill’s appointment as Prime Minister May 1940==On May 10th, Many believed that Chamberlin invited Churchill to join the Germans invaded western Europe.<ref>''The Times of London'', 11 May 1940 </ref> They launched coordinated attacks on war cabinet to ensure that he did not cause problems for the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. London was government in a panic and many believed that a German victory was inevitablethe House of Commons. The British people demanded that It proved to be a National Governmentpopular move, be put in place, comprising and the Conservative, Labour and public welcomed Churchill’s return to the Liberal Partycabinet. It Poland was believed that such were defeated within weeks by Germany, and after the dangers that only a National GovernmentMolotov-Rippentrop pact, as Hitler turned his attention west towards France. Churchill argued strongly in World War I could save the country. It was widely believed that Lord Halifax would become prime minister, but he was unwillingfavor of an aggressive strategy. He had been too much associated with wanted the appeasement policy of Europe. It was rumored that Halifax had been British and French to seeking peace with attack Germany. The public was overwhelmingly favored Churchill , and they saw him as someone who could lead their country he proposed that the Allies occupy Norway, to victoryprevent it from falling into the hands of the Germans. However<ref>Hastings, many 211</ref> In the Spring of 1940, the British political elite believed that Churchill German navy and army attacked Norway, even though it was a maverick and too unpredictableneutral nation. Perhaps cruciallyLike Churchill, Churchill was favored by the British armed forcesGermany realized that Norway had great strategic importance. He When Germany invaded Norway, it was genuinely popular with the rank main source of their iron ore, and filethey need to keep Norway's iron ore flowing to Germany. Additionally<ref>Hastings, British officers and saw Churchill as someone who could successfully fight Germanyp.117 </ref>

==Why did British citizens lose faith in Chamberlain?== The Allies dispatched forces to Norway to help the Norwegian army to beat back the German invaders, but it was too late. The Germans landed paratroopers in the country and rapidly reinforced these forces with several divisions of German infantry. Germany quickly and easily defeated the Norwegian army. The French and the British arrived too late and in too few numbers. The Norwegian army regrouped in the north of the country, where they were joined by British and French forces. There were several fierce battles, and the 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 Hitler's Germany. Churchill, because of his many years warning 's warnings about the dangers Germany and fascismwere proved correct, and he was the only senior political figure with the moral authority and popularity to lead the nation. Ultimately, the parties agreed to form a National Government, the King then called 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 promised the British victory. He faced numerous various numerous challenges within weeks of his appointment. Germany conquered France and much of Western Europe was conquered by Germany. Churchill ignored all pleas to enter into peace negotiations with the Germany. He believed that it would be impossible to reach an agreement with the Germany because the government was bent on world domination. He proved to be a brilliant war-leader and he helped led lead his country to victory in the Battle of Britain. The Battle of Britain permanently stalled a the planned German invasion. The appointment of Winston Churchill in May 1940 probably saved Britain and ultimately laid the foundation for the Allied victory.

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 ensured that he remained a political force during this time. Eventually, his firmly held beliefs and courage increased his popularity in Britain and even overcame the British Establishment's distrust of him. This led His moral authority and clear understanding of Hitler's motives encouraged his country to call on him at its darkest hour. <div class="portal" style="width:85%;">

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