Note: This story contains a correction from the original filed version
University of Victoria history professor Brian McKercher ruffled some feathers at last weekendB次元官网网址檚 meeting of the Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island in Colwood.
At a luncheon celebrating ChurchillB次元官网网址檚 140th birthday, McKercher asserted that Churchill actually came late to the belief that Nazi Germany constituted a major threat, despite the leaderB次元官网网址檚 later declaration that he was B次元官网网址渁nti-NaziB次元官网网址� in 1933.
It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until after the forced annexation of Austria in March 1938 that the future prime minister truly saw Nazi Germany as a strategic threat to Britain, McKercher said.
The problem with Prime Minister Neville ChamberlainB次元官网网址檚 policy in 1937 was that appeasement of the Nazis wasnB次元官网网址檛 tactical, he said. B次元官网网址淐hurchill became an anti-appeaser in 1938, which is different than being suspicious of Germany.B次元官网网址�
Despite the apparent time discrepancy between ChurchillB次元官网网址檚 claims of concern about the German threat to British security and his actions, McKercher said the illustrious leader was on the right track all along.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 clearly the guy who has the right kind of ideas in the last year of peace. Chamberlain didnB次元官网网址檛 want war; he thought he could deter the Germans. Churchill wasnB次元官网网址檛 afraid to go to war.B次元官网网址�
McKercherB次元官网网址檚 talk inspired informed questions from those in attendance, he said.
B次元官网网址淣ot everybody agreed, but nor should they. These people are very good. It was like talking to an informed PhD group.B次元官网网址�
He was so impressed that he decided to join their ranks after giving his presentation.
The society is B次元官网网址渄edicated to ensuring that ChurchillB次元官网网址檚 ideas and achievements are not forgotten by succeeding generations,B次元官网网址� and also to encouraging passion for history in younger generations. The society offers fellowships to fourth-year honours students in political science and history at UVic, said McKercher.
The society meets several times a year and membership is open to all ages.
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acowan@goldstreamgazette.com
