Contributions to domestic and international affairs after 1945 – Key issues
One of the key features regarding this section of Churchill’s life and career is the relatively little focus placed upon it from leading
biographers. Assessment of this stage of Churchill’s career is more fragmented and issues-based than more traditional
biographies. While the focus of biographers such as Keegan is upon Churchill’s role in the Cold War, seeing him as once again in
the predictive role assigned to him before World War II, more recent assessments found in articles by Mauter, Best and Quinhault
broaden the scope of this focus to explore and evaluate Churchill’s role in post-war Europe, nuclear disarmament and Churchill’s
attitudes on race and the decline of the British Empire in Africa, areas relatively neglected by more traditional biographies.
Contextual reasons can be ascertained for this – that the articles of these historians reflect contemporary concerns – with the
history of the European Union now that it is an established institution; with a longer-term evaluation of the Cold War and the nuclear
arms race in particular, which takes us beyond the Fulton speech; and with the impact of globalisation, colonialism and
decolonisation. These topics are of current interest to many historians, not just those writing about Churchill and reflect current
events, preoccupations and the increasing distance from World War II. In all of these, the fairly central role of Churchill is largely
unchallenged. Traditional histories appear to more focused upon the 1930s and the second World War, which reflects the context
of these older historians (older in approach if not in actual chronological age). Charmley appears less influenced by a direct
memory of Churchill by comparison with Jenkins, Lukacs or Keegan but his revisionist stance largely focuses on these two areas of
Churchill’s life and career to explore his own view that Churchill was responsible for the decline of Britain as a world power, tracing
this back to Churchill’s refusal to make peace with Hitler in 1940 and subsequent policy of drawing the USA into the war. Best,
Mauter and Quinhault represent a newer focus on Churchill while at the same time indicating that interest in him never wanes, it
simply changes form. Churchill is essentially a man for the 21st century, given that historians continually look back to him for
guidance in navigating contemporary controversies.
Domestic:
Europe (both a domestic and an international affair). According to Mauter, Churchill promoted Britain’s involvement in the
developing European Economic Community whilst he was in opposition but essentially lost interest once he returned to power.
Mauter argues that Churchill at times used the issue of European unity as a political ‘weapon’ to attack Atlee’s Labour government,
an election strategy designed to get him back into power.
Concerned with maintaining Britain’s status as a world power and the collapse of the British Empire
Losing the prime ministership in 1945; regaining it in 1951. Questioning of his fitness for the job.
International
Vision of Churchill as a far-seeing ‘prophet’ in international affairs, especially on the Cold War (the Fulton speech), this time
warning of the dangers of communism and Soviet expansionism.
Europe (see above)
The nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament (Best’s article) – calling for summits to resolve the nuclear issue and pursing
peaceful co-existence while also pursuing.
The collapse of the British Empire and attitudes towards race (Quinhault’s article)
The United Nations
The relationship between the USA and the UK