Speaker

The speaker of “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat” is British politician Winston Churchill.

At the time of the speech, Churchill had a significant military and political career behind him and was known for his views on the necessity of fighting Nazi Germany. He also expresses these views in his speech: “You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air.” (ll. 37-38)

At the same time, he had only been recently appointed as the British Prime Minister. As the speaker mentions, he had recently been asked by King George VI to form a government and commissioned to put together a new war cabinet: “On Friday evening last I received from His Majesty the mission to form a new administration.” (ll. 1-2). Note that King George VI was highly supportive of Winston Churchill and his proactive attitude towards seeking victory for Britain.

Churchill appointment as PM came after the previous minister, Neville Chamberlain, resigned after the House of Commons...