Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat

Blood, Toil,

Tears, and Sweat

by Winston Churchill

Standards

8.2(B)

8.1(A)

8.2(C)

8.5(E)

8.5(B)

8.3

8.5(G)

8.5(F)

8.6(A)

8.6(D)

8.6(C)

8.6(E)

I will use academic language to discuss and analyze the speech, including identifying and explaining rhetorical devices.

The intention of this lesson is for students to understand the impact of Winston Churchill's speech and to analyze the persuasive techniques used to inspire the British people during World War II.

• Students will successfully identify and discuss at least three rhetorical devices used in the speech.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the historical context by connecting the speech to events of World War II.

Do Now:

• What do you think Churchill meant by this?
• reflect on its meaning in the context of resilience and leadership.

Introduction

In 1939, Great Britain found itself at war with Germany after the Nazi invasion of Poland. Hitler’s army was raging across Europe, and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was forced to resign. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill (1874–1965), a soldier and longtime critic of Chamberlain, took over as prime minister. In this first speech as prime minister before Parliament in May of 1940, Churchill resolves to win the war by whatever means necessary. Inspiring the people of the United Kingdom to fight on, he borrows words first uttered in English by Theodore Roosevelt, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” *Watch StudySync Video

Vocabulary

administration

adjournment

buoyancy

nouna group that manages or governs The school administration will create a student advisory group this year.

nouna period of time in which an action is postponed, delayed, or put off The court’s adjournment will last through the holiday weekend, but court begins again Monday.

nouncheerfulness; positive attitude The coach showed buoyancy and energy when he addressed the team before the game.

Vocabulary

provision

rigor

nouna plan or arrangement for possible future conditions The teacher made a provision for taking the test later in the event of a snow day.

nouna condition that makes something difficult or unpleasant The rigor of the steep trail was too much for some of the less experienced hikers.

History & Context

• World War II started with Hitler’s invasion of countries in Europe. In 1940, Germany was trying to destroy the British army.

• Churchill gave the speech in the House of Commons just after he became Prime Minister. It was later broadcast on the radio.
• Winston Churchill had to establish a new government and unify his nation.

History & Context

• The speech includes British spellings (such as rigour) and unfamiliar capitalization (Motion).
• British government background: Parliament consists of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Prime Minister leads the nation in consultation with the king or queen. “His Majesty” refers to King George VI.

A Brief Overview of World War II

Summary

After the Nazis invaded Poland, Great Britain felt forced to go to war. The Prime Minister swiftly resigned, and the King appointed Winston Churchill the role. In May of 1940, Churchill addressed Parliament, providing an overview of his plan to emerge victorious. Churchill assembled a war cabinet that equally represented all of the nation’s parties, which he completed in a single day due to the urgency of the situation. He outlined the nature of the conflict and described the preparations for battles via air, sea, and the open fronts in Norway and Holland. Churchill concluded his speech by saying, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat,” reaffirming that the government was fully committed to wage war with all its strength. Any less would jeopardize the survival of the British Empire.

I beg to move, That this House welcomes the formation of a Government representing the united and inflexible resolve of the nation to prosecute the war with Germany to a victorious conclusion. On Friday evening last I received His Majesty's commission to form a new Administration. It was the evident wish and will of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties, both those who supported the late Government and also the parties of the Opposition. I have completed the most important part of this task. A War Cabinet has been formed of five Members, representing, with the Opposition Liberals, the unity of the nation. The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or in high executive office. The three Fighting Services have been filled. It was necessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extreme urgency and rigour of events. A number of other positions, key positions, were filled yesterday, and I am submitting a further list to His Majesty to-night. I hope to complete the appointment of the principal Ministers during to-morrow. The appointment of the other Ministers usually takes a little longer, but I trust that, when Parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed, and that the administration will be complete in all respects. I considered it in the public interest to suggest that the House should be summoned to meet today. Mr. Speaker agreed, and took the necessary steps, in accordance with the powers conferred upon him by the Resolution of the House. At the end of the proceedings today, the Adjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, 21st May, with, of course, provision for earlier meeting, if need be.

The business to be considered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliest opportunity. I now invite the House, by the Motion which stands in my name, to record its approval of the steps taken and to declare its confidence in the new Government. 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, such as have been indicated by my hon. Friend below the Gangway, have to be made here at home. In this crisis I hope I may be pardoned if I do not address the House at any length today. 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." We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. 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 realised; 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. 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." *Watch StudySync TV

The Darkest Hour

• Gary Oldman won an Oscar for his 2017 portrayal of Winston Churchill.
• Here is the speech we just read.

Drag & Drop

In the speech, Churchill details several steps he is taking at this critical time. Drag each of the following of Churchill’s actions into its correct column.

THANK YOU!