May 7, 2010

Friday, May 7, 2010 – 10:00 AM

Location: United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island

In the spring of 1940 when Winston Churchill became Great Britain’s prime minister, the British people stood in grave peril, fighting a desperate struggle for survival against Nazi Germany. The German war machine appeared unstoppable: soon all Europe would be in the Nazi grip and Britain would prepare for imminent air attack and invasion. In this grim situation, with the fate of Western Civilization hanging in the balance, Churchill became Britain’s prime minister. “I felt as if I were walking with Destiny,” he wrote in The Gathering Storm, “and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial.” Churchill’s determination and leadership at this critical hour was decisive in stemming the German onslaught and preventing a British collapse. The war’s outcome turned on Churchill’s leadership in 1940.

To mark the seventieth anniversary of Churchill becoming prime minister and the critical events of 1940, Dr. John H. Maurer, Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department at The United States Naval War College, will give a talk entitled “His Finest Hour: Churchill in 1940.” He will examine the strategic situation confronting Churchill when he took office and the actions he took to overcome the problems he faced. Churchill’s decisions during 1940 have generated controversy then and since, and this talk will examine these controversies. Was Churchill’s decision to fight on after the defeat of France irrational, as some critics have argued? Why is Churchill considered a master at strategic communication? These questions and others will be explored as we consider Churchill’s leadership and the watershed year of 1940.

2024 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 41st International Churchill Conference. London | October 2024
More


Schedule of the Event

 

10:00 – 10:30 Meet in lobby of Spruance Hall
10:30 – noon Lecture by Dr. Maurer in Spruance Auditorium.
Lunch is on your own at either adjacent Hewitt Café or nearby Officers’ Club.
1:30 – 2:00 We will re-assemble at Naval War College Museum for a talk about the history, present and
future of the Naval War College
2:00 – 3:00 Tour Museum; departures

 

 

Please reply by Monday, May 3, 2010.

Make check payable to New England Churchillians for $10 per attendee. To: Ms. Pat Foley, 390 Brigham Street, Northborough, MA 01532 Tel: (508) 393-6162 Email: [email protected]

You may download the complete invitation along with driving directions and map here.

The Naval War College is a military facility and admission is by pre-registration only, with photo ID.

A tribute, join us

#thinkchurchill

Subscribe

WANT MORE?

Get the Churchill Bulletin delivered to your inbox once a month.