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What Happened To Winston Churchill After World War 2 Ended

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What Happened To Winston Churchill After World War 2 Ended

A brand-new Netflix documentary miniseries, Churchill at War, explores the monumental life and legacy of Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill, primarily focusing on his role before, during, and just after World War II. There have been many versions of Winston Churchill in movies and TV shows, perhaps the most well-known at present being John Lithgow’s portrayal in Netflix’s The Crown. However, The Crown’s representation of Churchill, like many others, was at least partially fictionalized; Churchill at War is a much graver representation of Churchill’s history, particularly pertaining to his efforts during World War II.




Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on May 10, 1940, less than a year after World War II had begun and the very same day Germany invaded France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Over the next five years, Churchill served in this role, rallying people to join in the fight to stop Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany largely with the power of speech, both within the United Kingdom and beyond it. These efforts are the main focus of Churchill at War, but what came after World War II for Winston Churchill?


Winston Churchill Became The Leader Of The Opposition In 1945

Churchill’s First Term As Prime Minister Came To An End With Clement Attlee’s Victory


World War II ended on September 2, 1945, just a few months after Clement Attlee defeated Churchill in the election and became the new prime minister (although, notably, Germany’s surrender had come in May of that year). After this election loss, Churchill became the Leader of the Opposition, still leading the Conservative Party. While his governmental role may have shifted, though, Churchill remained prominent, especially as an orator.

Churchill remained prominent, especially as an orator.

During this era, Churchill was particularly vocal about his growing concerns regarding the Soviet Union. In fact, less than a year after the war had ended, Winston Churchill gave his now famous ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in the United States, in March of 1946. Perhaps because of his continued efforts to maintain peace and remind the world of all that had been overcome following the conclusion of World War II, it wasn’t long before Churchill was re-elected as prime minister.


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Churchill Was Elected As The Prime Minister In 1951

Winston Churchill Became Prime Minister For A Second Time

In 1951, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a second and final time after the Labour party, still led by Clement Attlee, lost. This term ran from 1951 until 1955, when Churchill ultimately resigned, and it is generally believed that this term was impacted by Churchill’s age and health concerns. Nevertheless, Churchill continued to have a major impact on the United Kingdom and beyond during those four years.


From 1951-1955, Churchill continued his attempts to ease the mounting tensions of the Cold War and further the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom. He was also navigating major changes to the British Empire at this point in history, as more and more countries fought for their independence. Churchill at War doesn’t shy away from pointing out that Churchill’s responses to these efforts were often unfavorable and ran counter to the very arguments he was making against Germany’s invasions.

Churchill’s 1955 Resignation Explained

This Difficult Decision Came Down To Age And Health

Winston Churchill in Churchill at War sitting at a desk


As mentioned, there were increasing concerns about Churchill’s age and his health throughout his second term as prime minister. Churchill was approximately 77 years old when he became prime minister for the second time, which many feared would impact his ability to serve in this role. These worries only grew when Churchill suffered a stroke in 1953, which came on the heels of other health scares in recent years.

While that stroke did not immediately require Churchill to step down, it signaled what was to come. Ultimately, Churchill’s health concerns meant that he had to resign, and he finally did so on April 5, 1955. Unsurprisingly, given how committed to the United Kingdom he had proven to be throughout his life, Churchill’s resignation as prime minister did not mean that he was walking away from politics—far from it.

How Churchill Remained Involved In Politics & Foreign Affairs After His Resignation

Winston Churchill Remained A Member Of Parliament

Winston Churchill in Churchill at War with a cigar in his mouth


Despite his age and health, after stepping down as prime minister, Winston Churchill remained a member of Parliament. In fact, Churchill stayed in this role until 1964, just a year before his death. Understandably, though, his role was quite diminished, particularly in the final years of his life. Although he still played a part in government, he was seen (and heard from) much less frequently during these years.

After stepping down as prime minister, Winston Churchill remained a member of Parliament.

Nevertheless, Churchill’s dedication to remaining involved in government throughout his 80s and despite his various health concerns makes it evident that he quite literally committed his entire life to the United Kingdom. He also continued to be a majorly important figure, not only within the United Kingdom but also throughout the world. It is perhaps for these reasons, and no doubt many others, that he was honored with a state funeral upon his death in January of 1965.


Winston Churchill’s 1965 Death & Lasting Legacy Explained

Winston Churchill Remains A Major Historical Figure

Winston Churchill actor in Churchill at War looking serious

As Churchill at War makes abundantly clear, it’s difficult to even begin to measure the impact that Winston Churchill had throughout his life and beyond it. When he died in 1965, he was honored with a massive state funeral that Queen Elizabeth II herself attended, representing the immense impact he’d had. His legacy has also never been far from memory, and he continues to be considered one of the most influential figures in recent history.


Churchill at War also raises questions about what the outcome of World War II might have been had Churchill not been at the forefront as prime minister. The documentary’s stance seems to be that without Churchill, it’s not certain that Germany, Hitler in particular, would ultimately have been stopped. Specifically, the documentary positions Churchill as the driving force behind the United Kingdom continuing to fight despite the massive threat Germany posed and even reinforces rhetoric from the war that Churchill was the one man Hitler feared.

As an orator, a politician, and a leader, Churchill shaped history in many ways.

Whether it’s true that Churchill single-handedly had such a massive impact on this war or not, it’s obvious that Winston Churchill’s role in World War II and his larger legacy are both tremendous. As an orator, a politician, and a leader, Churchill shaped history in many ways. Churchill at War brilliantly captures Winston Churchill’s considerable legacy, revealing all that he accomplished throughout World War II and beyond.


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