Sample Research Analysis for Research Checkpoint.

This is a speech given by Winston Churchill on September 3, 1939. It

highlights his leadership ability, vision, and also set in motion major
changes in Englands government. After the speech he is appointed the
1
st
Lord of the Admiralty in charge of defending England at the outbreak
of World War II
House of Commons
These short remarks were delivered by Winston Churchill at the outbreak of World War II and were originally omitted
from INTO BATTLE, the first volume of World War II speeches, but quickly inserted. They appear also in BLOOD
SWEAT AND TEARS (the US/Canadian edition of INTO BATTLE) and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL: HIS COMPLETE
SPEECHES 1897-1963, Robert Rhodes James, editor, NY: Bowker, 1974, vol. 6.

In this solemn hour it is a consolation to recall and to dwell upon our repeated efforts for peace.
All have been ill-starred, but all have been faithful and sincere. This is of the highest moral
value--and not only moral value, but practical value--at the present time, because the
wholehearted concurrence of scores of millions of men and women, whose co-operation is
indispensable and whose comradeship and brotherhood are indispensable, is the only foundation
upon which the trial and tribulation of modern war can be endured and surmounted. This moral
conviction alone affords that ever-fresh resilience which renews the strength and energy of
people in long, doubtful and dark days. Outside, the storms of war may blow and the lands may
be lashed with the fury of its gales, but in our own hearts this Sunday morning there is
peace. Our hands may be active, but our consciences are at rest.

We must not underrate the gravity of the task which lies before us or the temerity of the ordeal,
to which we shall not be found unequal. We must expect many disappointments, and many
unpleasant surprises, but we may be sure that the task which we have freely accepted is one not
beyond the compass and the strength of the British Empire and the French Republic. The Prime
Minister said it was a sad day, and that is indeed true, but at the present time there is another note
which may be present, and that is a feeling of thankfulness that, if these great trials were to come
upon our Island, there is a generation of Britons here now ready to prove itself not unworthy of
the days of yore and not unworthy of those great men, the fathers of our land, who laid the
foundations of our laws and shaped the greatness of our country.

This is not a question of fighting for Danzig or fighting for Poland. We are fighting to save the
whole world from the pestilence of Nazi tyranny and in defense of all that is most sacred to man.
This is no war of domination or imperial aggrandizement or material gain; no war to shut any
country out of its sunlight and means of progress. It is a war, viewed in its inherent quality, to
establish, on impregnable rocks, the rights of the individual, and it is a war to establish and
revive the stature of man. Perhaps it might seem a paradox that a war undertaken in the name of
liberty and right should require, as a necessary part of its processes, the surrender for the time
being of so many of the dearly valued liberties and rights. In these last few days the House of
Commons has been voting dozens of Bills which hand over to the executive our most dearly
valued traditional liberties. We are sure that these liberties will be in hands which will not abuse
them, which will use them for no class or party interests, which will cherish and guard them, and
we look forward to the day, surely and confidently we look forward to the day, when our
liberties and rights will be restored to us, and when we shall be able to share them with the
peoples to whom such blessings are unknown.

PRIMARY SOURCES DOCUMENTS: Churchill's War Speech Sept. 3, 1939
Written document analysis
1. What type of document is it? Newspaper, letter, memorandum, telegram, press release, report,
advertisement, congressional record, government report,
other.
Text of the speech given by Churchill 2 days after Germany invaded Poland, and on the day that
Britain declared war on Germany
2. What unique physical qualities are present? Letterhead, seals, notations, typed, handwritten,
other
It is a Copy
3. Is the document dated? If not, how can you tell it is a primary
source?
It is dated September 3, 1939
4. Who created the document? Name, position
Winston Churchill gave the speech on the request of the House of Commons. Churchill had
been a back bench member of Parliament for ten years many of those years he spent warning
England of Hitlers growing power. They did not listen!
5. For whom was the document written/created?
The speech was given following the deadline Britain had given Germany to withdraw from
Poland and just after a false alarm trip to the air raid shelter. Churchill used the speech to
inform, inspire, and explain what he thought should be the aim of the English in fighting this
war.
6. Why was the document written/created? Cite the evidence by quoting from the document.

He does not boast or say I told you so he puts the past into perspective of the situation now at
hand. The time to warn is over the time to fight is NOW.

The first paragraph emphasizes that the British Government has made repeated efforts for
peace. Churchill indicates that these efforts all have been faithful and sincere. This is of the
highest moral value . . . because being morally right will be necessary to sustain the great trials
that Great Britain now faces. He indicates that there are going to be some very tough times, but
our consciences are at rest.

The second paragraph again stresses . . . the gravity of the task which lies before us. . . But
then he offers the encouragement that, . . . there is a generation of Britons here now ready to
prove itself not unworthy of the days of yore and not unworthy of those great men, the fathers of
our land, who laid the foundations of our laws and shaped the greatness of our country.

The final paragraph points out that Great Britain is not going to war to gain empire, rather We
are fighting to save the whole world from the pestilence of Nazi tyranny and in defense of all that
is most sacred to man.
7. List and discuss three or four things the author said that you think are important.
1. He cites the moral reason for fighting, we did all we could to avoid war, now will sustain us
during the dark days ahead.
2. He reminds the English of their storied history of rising to the challenge. They will rise once
more!
3. We fight not for material gain but to save the world from Nazi tyranny.
4. Liberties and rights of Englishmen will have to be temporarily suspended until the war is over.

8. Are there questions left unanswered by the document? What would you ask the author if you
had the chance?
What were his 1st steps of leadership after his appointment?
Why suspend rights and liberties?

9. How will you use this document as part of your History Day project?
This speech demonstrates tremendous Churchills leadership ability and method. He is able to
articulate his vision We are fighting to save the whole world from the pestilence of Nazi
tyranny and in defense of all that is most sacred to man. This is no war of domination or imperial
aggrandizement or material gain; no war to shut any country out of its sunlight and means of
progress. It is a war, viewed in its inherent quality, to establish, on impregnable rocks, the rights
of the individual, and it is a war to establish and revive the stature of man. Following the speech
he is appointed 1
st
Lord of the Admiralty which demonstrates how persuasive he was in
articulating his vision and how effective he was in gaining the support of the House of
Commons. The project will demonstrate the tangible results of his leadership and
legacy! Especially during the Battle of Britain and partnership with FDR to fight the war
5 Quotations observations, analysis or key facts I pulled out from this source.
1. He used this speech not to gloat about the fact that his repeated warnings about Hitler
have come true and they were wrong.
2. He states In this solemn hour it is a consolation to recall and to dwell upon our repeated
efforts for peace. All have been ill-starred, but all have been faithful and sincere. This is
of the highest moral value--and not only moral value, but practical value--at the present
time.
3. He encourages and inspires his listeners that in spite of the serious situation, they are
ready for the challenge there is a generation of Britons here now ready to prove itself not
unworthy of the days of yore and not unworthy of those great men.
4. He clearly states the defensive purpose of the war. We are fighting to save the whole
world from the pestilence of Nazi tyranny and in defense of all that is most sacred to
man.
5. He perhaps controversially announces the need to suspend some of the rights they are
Perhaps it might seem a paradox that a war undertaken in the name of liberty and right
should require, as a necessary part of its processes, the surrender for the time being of so
many of the dearly valued liberties and rights.