Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat: Main Idea
Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat: Main Idea
War + Cabinet = War Cabinet
Winston Churchill had just become prime minister, appointed by King George VI just a few days earlier. Part of his job was to pull together members of Parliament to form a government made up of politicians from all parties, to be truly representative of the entire nation. Because of the urgent need to deal with the upcoming crisis of war with Germany, Churchill had done his homework basically overnight.
In this speech, he tells the members of Parliament that he'll give everything he has to the cause of fighting evil and tyranny, and Britain has to stand up and fight.
Otherwise, it's the end of the world as we know it.
Questions
- How might the rapid creation of a new government impact the way a country responds to war?
- What was at risk for Britain when Churchill gave this speech?
- Why would Churchill have wanted a government made of people from different parties at this moment in time?
- Why did Churchill take such a dramatic tone about the possible outcome of the war?
Chew On This
Without Churchill's leadership, Britain never would have been strong enough to hold back the Nazis.
Churchill's telling the MPs what they don't want to hear so they can get off their butts and start taking care of business.
Quotes
Quote #1
A War Cabinet has been formed of five Members, representing, with the Opposition Liberals, the unity of the nation. (5)
Churchill sums up a large portion of his speech in one sentence. Not the most exciting or poetic, but it describes the political situation of the day and the importance of the different political parties coming together.
Quote #2
To form an Administration of this scale and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself, but it must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history, that we are in action at many other points in Norway and in Holland, that we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean, that the air battle is continuous and that many preparations…have to be made here at home. (16)
By the time Churchill had become prime minister, the gravity of the Nazi threat had become extremely clear, which made it all the scarier for the increasingly isolated Britain. Remember that by May 13, 1940, their only unconquered ally was France, which would fall to the Nazis a month later.
Quote #3
I hope that any of my friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the political reconstruction, will make allowance, all allowance, for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act. I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." (18-19)
The parliamentary government had proper procedures to follow when doing stuff like forming new governments and dealing with a new PM. But guess what—there wasn't time for all those procedural niceties. The complex traditions of politics are less important than the hard work it will take to win the war. Churchill's expressed commitment to the fight would characterize his wartime leadership.
Quote #4
You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. (21-26)
Churchill uses this moment to bust out his motivational writing skills. What he's saying is pretty terrifying, but he makes it sound inspirational. Of course they have to fight, and of course they have to win. What's the other option?
Quote #5
But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength." (27-29)
It's important to end speeches like this on a positive note; otherwise people will just be scared and depressed. This reminds Shmoop why FDR was such an effective leader during the Depression and WWI: his optimism and ability to inspire hope. He and Churchill became BFFs.