Republicanism and Liberalism

[Pannonian]

Churchill was a solid strategist, at least on a macro level. Also, fortunately for England, he tended to avoid involving himself on tactical decisions (Gallipoli was instructive in this, no doubt).

Churchill wasn't that bad militarily, as long as one remembers he was an old fashioned English Liberal (with capital L). The kind that expanded the Empire like crazy, bringing English civilisation to the benighted savages whilst bringing back their wealth to Britain. They were good at seeing opportunities, as the Dardanelles undoubtedly was, and they had a habit of throwing resources at a problem until they succeeded, with complete disregard for what the locals might feel.

Churchill's single greatest contribution to Britain's success was to help manipulate/team up with FDR to bring the USA in on Britain's side. Months before Pearl Harbor, the USN was already coordinating and to some extent fighting the Battle of the Atlantic with the UK. With US resources available, it became almost impossible for Britain to lose. Hiter's decision to declare war on the USA after Pearl Harbor made it that much easier -- but Churchill had already worked that field and was bringing in the harvest.

Churchill was more romantic than most British politicians were, identifying himself wholeheartedly with America's nation myth and their and Britain's shared liberal (lower case l) heritage. This helped us gain America's support.