V.

Assessment

Churchill's death in 1965 marked the end of an era in British history. Born into an aristocratic family, he participated in Britain's transformation from British Empire to Welfare State and its decline as a world power, developments which he bitterly regretted. He is particularly remembered for his courageous stand as prime minister in 1940 and 1941, when Britain stood alone against perhaps the most dangerous adversary it had faced in its long history.