Sir Winston Churchill - Imperialism

Imperialism
British Empire at its territorial peak in 1921
Churchill was an imperialist,[600] with the historian Edward Adams characterising him as an
adherent of "liberal imperialism".[601] Churchill exhibited a romanticised view of the British
Empire,[602] and believed British imperialism was a form of altruism that benefitted its subject
peoples; early in his parliamentary career he expressed concern for the welfare of various
African groups.[603] According to Addison, Churchill believed "that by conquering and dominating
other peoples, the British were also elevating and protecting them", holding to the conviction that
"civilization must necessarily triumph over barbarism, however tragic the process" of conquest
might be for the conquered.[604] According to Adams, Churchill's writings display a "cavalier tone
and militarist ideology" in defence of "imperial war".[601] The idea of dismantling the Empire by
transferring power to subject peoples was anathema to Churchill.[605]
Churchill with Princess Elizabeth in 1950
During Churchill's lifetime, belief in the racial superiority of the British was widespread, including
among liberals and socialists, and Churchill also subscribed to such ideas.[606] In 1952 he told
Lord Moran that "When you learn to think of a race as inferior beings it is difficult to get rid of that
way of thinking; when I was a subaltern in India the Indians did not seem to be equal to the white
man."[607] However, noting that "Churchill had no theory of race as a biological entity", Addison
considered it misleading to describe Churchill as a racialist, arguing that that term "has many
connotations which were alien to Churchill."[606] He believed that Churchill would have never tried
"to stoke up racial animosity against immigrants, or to persecute minorities".[606] Churchill opposed
anti-Semitism,[606] and was well disposed to Zionism throughout his career:[608] in 1920, he called it
an "inspiring movement".[609]
Although Churchill upset both Edward VII and George V during his political career, he was a
firm monarchist,[610] displaying a romanticised view of the British monarchy.[602] Jenkins described
Churchill's opposition to protectionism as being based on a "profound conviction",[611] although
during his political career many questioned the sincerity of Churchill's anti-protectionist
beliefs.[612] Although as Home Secretary he found sanctioning executions to be one of his most
emotionally taxing tasks, he did not endorse the abolition of the death penalty.[613] Around 1912
he became briefly enthusiastic regarding the eugenicist idea of sterilising the disabled, but it was
not a recurring interest of his.[606]
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James described Churchill as having "no permanent commitment to any" party, and that his
"shifts of allegiance were never unconnected with his personal interests".[614] When campaigning
for his Oldham seat in 1899, Churchill referred to himself as a Conservative and a Tory
Democrat;[615] the following year, he referred to Liberals as "prigs, prudes, and faddists".[612] In a
1902 letter to a fellow Conservative, Churchill stated that he had "broad, tolerant, moderate
views—a longing for compromise and agreement—a disdain for cant of all kinds—a hatred for
extremists whether they be Jingos or Pro-Boers; and I confess the idea of a central party,
fresher, freer, more efficient, yet, above all, loyal and patriotic, is very pleasing to my
heart."[616] This dream of a "Centre Party" uniting moderate elements of the main British parties—
and thus remaining permanently in office—was a recurring one for Churchill.[617] In 1924, with
Labour supplanting the Liberals as the Conservatives' main rival, Churchill contemplated forming
a new party called the "Liberal-Conservatives".[618]
By 1903, he was increasingly dissatisfied with the Conservatives, in part due to their promotion of
economic protectionism, but also because he had attracted the animosity of many party
members and was likely aware that this might have prevented him gaining a Cabinet position
under a Conservative government. The Liberal Party was then attracting growing support, and so
his defection may have also have been influenced by personal ambition.[619] In a 1903 letter, he
referred to himself as an "English Liberal ... I hate the Tory party, their men, their words and their
methods".[620] Jenkins noted that, with Lloyd George, Churchill formed "a partnership of
constructive radicalism, two social reforming New Liberals who had turned their backs on the old
Gladstonian tradition of concentrating on libertarian political issues and leaving social conditions
to look after themselves".[148]
Throughout his political career, Churchill's relationship with the Conservative Party was
stormy;[592] Addison noted that his "loyalty [to the party] was never absolute".[583]

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Imperialism

British Empire at its territorial peak in 1921

Churchill with Princess Elizabeth in 1950

Links to political parties

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