The leaders’ speeches
A comparison between inspiring ability of Churchill and Mussolini
What was the situation in Great Britain in 1940?
The World War 2 broke out on September 1st 1939, till the next spring the Nazis forces appeared unstoppable. The invasion of Denmark and Norway by Germany was so quick in April 1940 that British expedition to Norway was unable to establish itself. Defeat there led to the replacement of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain by Winston Churchill in May 1940.
Who was Winston Churchill? Could he lead Britain in the darkest hour? Watch the funny anecdote about him.
Anyway, what was Churchill’s policy? What did he promised to British people that were facing the Nazis menace?
Winston Churchill’s speech, 1940 May 10
First Speech as Prime Minister to House of Commons
On May 10, 1940, Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. When he met his Cabinet on May 13 he told them that “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” He repeated that phrase later in the day when he asked the House of Commons for a vote of confidence in his new all-party government. The response of Labour was heart-warming; the Conservative reaction was luke-warm. They still really wanted Neville Chamberlain. For the first time, the people had hope but Churchill commented to General Ismay: “Poor people, poor people. They trust me, and I can give them nothing but disaster for quite a long time.”
If you want, you can download the transcription of Churchill’s speech before listening the original recording.
Churchill’s speech analysis
Download the paper and do the assignments
On the same day in Italy …
Mussolini allo scoppio delle ostilità aveva dichiarato l’Italia “alleato non belligerante” della Germania nazista.
Il discorso è tenuto il 10 maggio 1940 quando gli eserciti tedeschi stavano conquistando l’Europa occidentale e si apprestavano ad entrare in Francia.
La guerra appariva ormai vinta per le forze naziste, perciò Mussolini voleva “qualche migliaio di morti per sedersi al tavolo della pace”.
Se preferisci puoi scaricare il testo del discorso prima di guardare il video originale.
nalisi del discorso di Mussolini
Scarica la scheda in pdf ed esegui quanto indicato
A comparison between the two speakers and their speeches is needed
Considering the speeches of May 10th, 1940 , compare the two facts filling the table with the right pieces of information about the subject, the occasion , the audience, the purpose, the speaker and his tone.
Then you can answer the questions briefly
- Which are the most evident differences?
- Is there any similarity?
- What kind of lexicon and tone has each speaker chosen?
- Which are the most effective sentences? Say why.
tThe assignment continues on the paper available for the download.
Enjoy the task.
