In 1946,
Sir Winston Churchill came to the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri to deliver his famous “Sinews of Peace, or Iron Curtain, speech. The thesis of his speech? Predicting the shape of the emerging Cold War.
Churchill delineated the complications and tensions of that moment in world history—less than a year after World War II and at the dawn of the Cold War. He had been watching the Soviet Union with increasing concern. "A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory," he said; adding, "whatever conclusion may be drawn from these facts…this is certainly not the liberated Europe we fought to build up. Nor is it one which contains the essentials of permanent peace." Churchill noted the tensions mounting between Eastern and Western Europe. "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic," he said, "an ‘iron curtain’ has descended across the continent." Churchill then predicted what he called the formation of the "Soviet sphere."
President Harry Truman predicted that Churchill's address would put both Fulton and Westminster College on the map—he was right. The construction of the National Churchill Museum ensures that Churchill's "Sinews of Peace" and Westminster's role in brining it to life will never be forgotten.
For students today, Churchill and his times are where most history is…in the past. But, Churchill’s legacy lives today in the freedoms we enjoy. There is much to understand about his legacy, to make it relevant and meaningful for the 21st century. What place does Churchill have in today’s political world? How do we relate the past style with the present and future? Is there a difference in Churchill’s leadership compared to leaders today?
Missouri depends on its future leaders – you – to build a better environment for us all. The National Churchill Museum believes the legacy of Winston Churchill is an important element of 21st century education. We established the Winston Churchill Student Essay Contest to expand educational opportunities to Missouri’s students.
The Winston Churchill Student Essay Contest
- Promotes serious discussion among high school students (grades 9-12) about emerging technology during the 20th century;
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Complements existing educational activities and curricula; and
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Strengthens students’ research, writing, and reasoning skills
The deadline for the 2009-2010 Winston Churchill Student Essay Contest is May 1, 2010.