Before Sir Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of England, leading the effort against the axis powers and helping the country rebuild after World War II, he gave a speech to the Empire Club of Canada about the future of the British Empire and its relationship to its colonies. Churchill had a long political career before his time as Prime Minister. In 1900 he was elected to sit as a Member of Parliament for the area of Oldham, and would later go on to represent Manchester Northwest, Dundee, and Woodford. He also served in the British Cabinet from 1906 to 1940, being in charge of Board and Trade, Home Office, Admiralty, and the Munitions, War and Air Ministries.
Churchill, 1941. Library and Archives Canada.
At the time of this speech on August 16, 1929, Churchill seemed destined to become a major figure in British politics. At the time of this speech, the president of the Empire Club Foundation, Hugh Eayrs, said in his introduction “No man has served his country and the Empire better. He has held practically every important portfolio in a number of ministries in England. He has not yet been Prime Minister.” Having served as the minister of Admiralty twice, including during the First World War, Churchill spoke a great deal about British naval supremacy, and how important it was for the security of the Empire. “We have long enjoyed the naval supremacy of the world. We did not abuse that supremacy,” Churchill says about the British Fleet. The British Royal Navy was the most powerful naval force in the world from the mid-nineteenth century until the Second World War, and was key in maintaining its security. Its fortresses in Malta, Gibraltar, Bermuda and Halifax were key in establishing and protecting the Empire, with the fortress in Halifax being key in securing the transatlantic sea lanes.
Churchill situated Canada and its place in the empire, calling Toronto a “great buoyant expanding city.” He said that Canada should have a say in Britain’s exploits across the world in light of a more globalized landscape. “Canada has an interest as a partner in the Empire in the decision of these great matters. Anything that happens injuriously to the interests of Australia and New Zealand must affect Canadian interests and Canadian sentiment”, he said. “Anything that affects the welfare of the whole affects the welfare of every part. Canada should have her opinion upon this subject of Egypt too.” He emphasized the importance of goodwill between the nations of the empire and pointed to World War I as an example of people from all over the world coming together to fight for a similar interest.
Sir Winston Churchill’s signature from Empire Club guest book
While this speech took place before he became Prime Minister, it gives us a look into how his political instincts came to define how he would lead the British War effort in World War II. When talking about the prospect of peace and security in Britain, Churchill says “…we must be careful that that love of peace is not used as a cloak to press forward proposals which would weaken or injure the enduring strength of the British Empire.” This type of thinking mirrors his actions in World War II, specifically his part in the war cabinet crisis of 1940. During this affair, the British war cabinet was split on whether to discuss peace terms with Nazi Germany or to continue the war effort. With the Dunkirk evacuation, and the inevitable surrender of France, momentum for discussing a treaty with Hitler was gaining momentum in the House of Commons, but Churchill was firm in his decision to continue the war effort, gaining the support of Neville Chamberlain,
Churchill was successful in his bid to continue fighting, a major turning point in the war leading to the eventual defeat of fascism in Europe. “We must be careful that subversive movements do not effectually masquerade in the cause of pacificism and philanthropy,” Churchill says. Churchill was a major figure in twentieth-century history, whose actions shaped the world we live in today. Even before becoming prime minister he was incredibly influential in British politics and oversaw one of the most powerful navies in the world. As prime minister during World War II, he helped defeat fascism in Europe and engaged in negotiations that shaped global politics in the 20th century and beyond. His speech to the Empire Club of Canada gives particular insight into his political instincts that informed the way he would lead his country in the war to come.
Other speeches from our digital library that may be of interest relating to Churchill or World War II:
Phyliss Moir, personal secretary to Sir Winston Churchill, spoke on May 15, 1941.
Randy Barber, on October 7, 2007, gave a speech entitled “Winston Churchill-Interesting Facts and Quotes“.
John Wesley Palmer, on February 25, 1943, spoke about his experiences in a Japanese Internment Camp.
William “Billy” Bishop spoke on November 7, 1940 “Winged Warfare Over Britain”
Written by Silas Le Blanc. Silas Le Blanc is a Toronto based journalist, writer and content creator. She has previously worked at Xtra Magazine, The Varsity, The Review of Journalism and CJRU 1280 AM.
