History
Blood, toil, tears, and sweat
On 13 May 1940, Winston Churchill, newly appointed prime minister, told his government that in the fight against Hitler he had nothing to offer but 'blood, toil, tears and sweat'.
Photo: Mrs Bowley shakes the hand of Johnny Driscoll of the A.R.P. rescue team carrying her away. She had been trapped for 13 hours in the wreckage of an air-raid shelter after a German bombing raid on London, 17 October 1940. (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Features in:
Introduction
Blood, toil, tears, and sweat
Highlights from 91热爆 programmes Video (6)
Churchill's unlikely path to power
Richard Holmes describes Churchill's unlikely path to power. Despite his cabinet post, Churchill felt powerless and his recommendation for an amphibious landing in Norway ended disastrously. But the blame fell on Chamberlain who then resigned and advised that Churchill be the new prime minister.
The reaction to Churchill's appointment
Hitler attacks Belgium, Holland and France. Meanwhile, Churchill is appointed prime minister to a mixed reaction from his colleagues.
The initial reaction to Churchill's leadership
A.J.P. Taylor describes Churchill's tenuous support following his rise to power.
Churchill's belief in "Victory at all costs"
A.J.P. Taylor describes the clarity of Churchill's war aims.
The resilience of Churchill and the British people
A summary of the 6 months from Germany's advance through Europe, to the end of 1940 and Britain's continued resistance to German bombing.
More information about: Blood, toil, tears, and sweat
The phrase blood, toil, tears and sweat became famous in a speech given by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom on 13 May 1940.
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Events
Germany advances through Europe
Churchill becomes Prime Minister
Britain retreats from France
Churchill decides to fight on
Who
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