Total and Unmitigated Defeat

Total and Unmitigated Defeat

"[...] namely, that we have sustained a total and unmitigated defeat, and that France has suffered even more than we have."

 "[...] They can be very simply epitomized, if the House will permit me to vary the metaphor. £1 was demanded at the pistol's point. When it was given, £2 were demanded at the pistol's point. Finally, the dictator consented to take £1 17s. 6d. and the rest in promises of goodwill for the future."

Winston Churchill giving a speech. Credit: winstonchurchill.org

"[...] All is over. Silent, mournful, abandoned, broken, Czechoslovakia recedes into the darkness. She has suffered in every respect by her association with the Western democracies and with the League of Nations, of which she has always been an obedient servant. She has suffered in particular from her association with France, under whose guidance and policy she has been actuated for so long."

"[...] I venture to think that in future the Czechoslovak State cannot be maintained as an independent entity. You will find that in a period of time which may be measured by years, but may be measured only by months, Czechoslovakia will be engulfed in the Nazi Regime. Perhaps they may join it in despair or in revenge. At any rate, that story is over and told."

Winston Churchill giving a speech during 1945 election campaign. Credit: www.npr.org

"[...] We are in the presence of a disaster of the first magnitude which has befallen Great Britain and France. Do not let us blind ourselves to that. It must now be accepted that all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will make the best terms they can with the triumphant Nazi Power."

[...]  And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.”

Winston Churchill Credit: britannica.com

Long Term Aftermath
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