70 years ago the famous British politician and diplomat David Lloyd George passed away. He was a member of the House of Commons for more than half a century, and from 1916 to 1922 he served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The story of his life path is quite instructive for those who are sure that the lack of money and connections is an insurmountable obstacle to success in any field.
Biography of Lloyd George: childhood and youth
The future famous politician was born on January 17, 1863 in Manchester in the family of a teacher from Pembrokeshire. At the age of one, the boy lost his father, and his mother with three kids (David's sisters were 2 and 3 years old) moved to the village of Llanistamdwi, where her shoemaker brother lived. Uncle played a huge role in the life of orphans. Therefore, becoming an adult, David George added to his and his last name - Lloyd.
After graduating from the parish school in Llanistamdwi, the young man passed 3 exams andreceived the right to hold the position of a solicitor. He had an active character and soon established a law office in Kricchit.
At the age of 25, David married the daughter of a we althy farmer, Maggie Owen, despite the fact that her father did not consider an aspiring lawyer a suitable match for his daughter. However, the marriage added solidity to the young jurist, and a few months after the conclusion of the marriage, he was elected alderman of the County of Caernarvon. Moreover, after another 2 years, the young man was already a member of the Chamber of Deputies from the Liberal Party.
Working in the Cabinet
In 1890, David Lloyd George moved with his family to London. Brash, caustic and witty, the young man was able to prove himself a great speaker and soon became the leader of the Welsh deputies from the Liberal Party.
In 1905, this party came to power in Great Britain. Lloyd George was invited to the government, but he stipulated his participation with 2 conditions: expanding self-government for his native Wales and changing the current law on education. His terms were accepted, and at the age of 32, David became UK Trade Secretary for the first time.
He was actively interested in the rational exploitation of the colonies and was a supporter of the expansion of the empire. In 1908, D. Lloyd George assumed the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer, considered the second most important in the British Cabinet.
World War I
Even during the years of the Anglo-Boer armed confrontation in the UK and abroad LloydGeorge has built a reputation for being a peacemaker. However, when the leaders of Germany promised a quick victory at the beginning of the First World War, he, speaking at a rally, called on the British to defend the independence of Belgium.
At the end of 1916, D. Lloyd George took over as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and headed the coalition government for almost 6 years. The beginning of the period of his reign was simply triumphant, and in those years the politician was very popular in his country and in many European countries.
End of the war
In the last days before the signing of the armistice, Lloyd George, in his speeches in Parliament, did everything to give the British the impression that they were the winners. It is known that the politician even tried to delay the dissemination of information about the cessation of hostilities until he appeared before the deputies.
His tricks were successful, and the press even began to call the Prime Minister "the organizer of the victory." Moreover, Lloyd George organized a review of troops in London, which his associates hastened to call a "victory parade", and invited Clemenceau, Foch and the Italian Prime Minister V. Orlando on this occasion. All this allowed him to stay in his post, and in 1918 he formed the government for the second time.
Policy towards the USSR
In 1918, as prime minister, Lloyd George declared a crusade against the young Soviet state. His goal was to create a "zone of influence" that included the B altics and the oil-rich Caucasus. It is atBritish interventionists landed in Arkhangelsk and Baku. In addition, Lloyd George repeatedly made calls to support the leaders of the White movement. However, by 1920, he took an active part in the preparation and signing of a trade agreement with the USSR, thereby recognizing the Soviet government as the de facto government of Russia.
Treaty of Versailles
Many historians consider David Lloyd George one of the initiators of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, according to which England received the German colonies and Mesopotamia. As a result, almost 75% of the world's oil resources explored by the year 20 were under the control of this country.
Under Lloyd George, England also consolidated its dominance in Persia, Arabia and Egypt, and gained Palestine and Iraq.
Retirement and later years
In 1922, Lloyd George's coalition government collapsed. There were several reasons:
- Prime Minister could not get concessions from the USSR;
- capacities were not created to organize the export of coal to Northern Europe;
- Lloyd George's policy did not lead to the signing of an agreement on preferences for British goods when they are imported into the states of Central Europe.
After his resignation, Lloyd George continued to be active in politics and until the early 30s remained the most respected political figure in the West. At the same time, he hoped to return to the government. However, when a new cabinet was formed in 1931, he was notinvited, which was partly due to his serious illness. Moreover, a few months later the Liberal Party split, and Lloyd George refused to lead it.
After a full recovery, the politician began to write "War Memoirs", which brought him success with readers and huge fees.
World War II
During a visit to Germany in 1936, Lloyd George lavished praise on Hitler. However, after the events in Spain, he spoke in favor of a rapprochement between Great Britain and France and the USSR. When W. Churchill became prime minister, he offered the politician to become a member of his government, but Lloyd George rejected both this and the offer to become the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States.
In the midst of the war, the wife of a politician died, with whom he had not lived for a long time. He married his longtime mistress Frances Stevenson. Shortly after the wedding, Lloyd George was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor that developed rapidly.
Towards the end of his life, the British monarchy highly appreciated his merits, awarding him the title of earl, and on March 26, 1945, David Lloyd George passed away. According to his will, he was buried in the village where he spent his childhood.
Now you know who David Lloyd George was. The biography of this famous statesman still inspires many young people today who aspire to reach the heights of a political career.
