David Lloyd George interesting facts. The formation of D. Lloyd George as a political figure. See what "Lloyd George" is in other dictionaries

David Lloyd George is a famous British politician, the last minister from the Liberal Party. His career developed very rapidly and rapidly. He held a variety of positions in the British government, carried out successful financial reforms, and also played an important role in developing the military strategy that accelerated the successful conclusion of the First World War.

Youth

Lloyd George, whose biography is the subject of this review, was born in 1863 in Manchester in the family of a teacher. His father died when the child was only three years old.

Then the family moved to the village where the mother’s brother lived. The latter played a big role in the development of the future politician, who, upon coming of age, took his surname. The boy graduated from parish school and became a solicitor. The young man dreamed of becoming a lawyer: he had an internship in one of the offices, and also, being very active and active, founded his own firm providing legal services. Lloyd George soon married the daughter of a local wealthy farmer, and was also elected in 1890 to the House of Deputies as a representative of the Liberal Party.

Carier start

The young lawyer soon became famous in Wales for his speeches in defense of nationalists and nonconformists. In the same year, he moved to London, where, thanks to his extraordinary oratorical abilities, he immediately became a Welsh MP. Lloyd George immediately attracted attention with speeches in which he condemned the Anglo-Boer War.

In 1905, the Liberal Party came to power, and the young lawyer was invited to take the post of Minister of Trade. He agreed on two conditions. The future prime minister achieved the expansion of self-government rights for Wales, whose interests he represented, as well as changes to the current education law. Following this, Lloyd George became Secretary of Trade at the age of just 32.

Financial policy

Being a rationalist, he advocated making good use of the resources of the colonies. Having taken the post of Minister of Finance in 1908, the politician proposed his budget, which included increased taxes on luxury and empty land. This project was defeated by the conservatives, whom he sharply criticized, as well as representatives of the bourgeoisie. It was only the following year, when his party won the elections, that the so-called people's budget was finally approved.

Bill 1914

Lloyd George took part in the adoption of this very important document for the history of Ireland. Since the end of the 19th century, a movement for self-government began in the country, which caused fierce controversy in society. The movement aimed to achieve the transformation of the island into a dominion of the empire.

In the 1880-1890s, a corresponding bill was introduced into parliament twice, but each time failed due to pressure from conservatives. In 1912, it was again introduced into parliament, and two years later it was adopted with the proviso that it would be put into effect after the end of the war. This was a very important step by the Liberal government, along with other measures to strengthen the influence of this party in government and society.

Other laws

An interesting question is which reforms of Lloyd George were most significant for the history of Great Britain at the time in question. In addition to the aforementioned bill, it should also be mentioned that the Liberal Party significantly limited the veto power of the House of Lords, which often blocked the adoption of progressive bills.

But even more important were measures in the social sphere: the minister achieved the adoption of a decree on insurance in case of illness, disability or unemployment. It is significant that these measures, although criticized, came in very handy in the difficult post-war years, significantly reducing social tension in society.

During the First World War

Great Britain, along with other European countries, also opposed Germany. Lloyd George, who during the Boer War sharply criticized the government for militarism, now, on the contrary, began to call on the country to side with Belgium. These changes in the international arena were reflected in his career. In 1915, a coalition government was created, and he headed the Ministry of Armaments. In this post, he carried out a number of serious measures to strengthen the combat capability of the British army. Thus, it was he who initiated the introduction of universal conscription and also achieved the adoption of this law. Soon he took the post of Minister of Armaments.

The defeat of Romania led to serious changes in political circles. David George championed a cabinet reorganization and became prime minister in 1916. This was the peak of his career: it was during this period of time that the politician enjoyed enormous popularity not only in his homeland, but also in many European countries. The most important step in his new post was that he achieved the decision to create a unified command of the allied forces. However, this plan was implemented only in the spring of 1918.

This measure, as well as the participation of American units, influenced the successful completion of hostilities. Here we should also mention his policy towards Soviet Russia. After the October Revolution, he began to actively advocate for the creation of a buffer zone of a sphere of influence, which should have included the Baltic countries and the Caucasus. It was during his reign that British troops landed in Baku and Arkhangelsk. In addition, he actively advocated support for the White movement during the Civil War. But two years later he changed the course of his policy and recognized Soviet power, signing a trade agreement with the new government (1920).

After the war

Lloyd George, whose policies allowed him to strengthen his own position among voters in the new elections, became one of the three participants in the signing of the famous Treaty of Versailles in 1919. During the negotiations, he, unlike the other participants, showed compliance.

His success was facilitated by a skillfully orchestrated campaign to convince the British that they were the victors of the war. He organized a demonstration of the troops, which was supposed to be perceived as a victory parade. These measures led to the desired result, and in 1918 the minister formed his second government.

Career changes

However, after some time, dissatisfaction with his rule began to grow in the country. This was due to the poor state of the economy, large budget expenditures, which were attacked by conservatives. But the main reason for Lloyd George's resignation from the post of minister was his foreign policy. His cabinet took a pro-Greek position, but the Turkish army won, which was, in fact, a failure for his ministry. In the fall of 1922, he resigned.

1920-1930s

During the decade under review, Lloyd George was part of the opposition. However, his proposals no longer had the same popularity, largely due to the fact that the positions of the Liberal Party, whose interests he represented, were greatly undermined. However, during the severe economic crisis that erupted in the 1930s, he put forward several useful proposals to eliminate unemployment.

The former prime minister was awarded the title of earl, but refused to continue his political career, not accepting the offer to enter the war cabinet, which was headed by W. Churchill. The famous politician wrote a number of works from Peru, including memoirs about the war, written in 1933-1936. His book about the peace conference before the signing of the Versailles Document, of which Lloyd George was a participant, deserves special attention. “The Truth about Peace Treaties” is a work that tells about the preparation of negotiations, the course of meetings, in which the author gives his vision of complex political vicissitudes.

The famous politician died in 1945.

LLOYD GEORGE

(Lloyd George), David (7.I.1863 - 26.III.1945) - English. political and state activist, leader of the Liberal Party. L.D. was born into the family of a teacher. First he became a lawyer, and then a professional politician. activist In 1890 he was first elected to parliament. In order to gain popularity among the masses, L.D., an extremely vain and ambitious man, declared himself a radical and a supporter of broad reforms, while acting at the same time in accordance with the fundamental interests of the English. imperialistic bourgeoisie. This explains L.D.’s extreme indiscriminateness in his means and the external inconsistency of his policies. L.D. was a master of compromise, achieving with little help. concessions to achieving your main goal. He was the most striking embodiment of the characteristic English. political life of the system of cynical demagogue. deception of the masses by the bourgeoisie in order to maintain its dominance over them. “I would call this system,” wrote V.I. Lenin, “Lloyd-Georgism, after one of the most advanced and dexterous representatives of this system in the classical country of the “bourgeois labor party,” the English minister Lloyd George. A first-class bourgeois businessman and a political scoundrel, a popular speaker, able to say anything, even revolutionary speeches to a working audience, capable of carrying out hefty handouts to obedient workers in the form of social reforms (insurance, etc.), Lloyd George serves the bourgeoisie magnificently and serves it precisely among the workers, carries out its influence precisely in the proletariat, where it is most necessary and most difficult to morally subjugate the masses" (Oc., vol. 23, p. 106). During the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, L. D. gained fame for his noisy protests against jingoists (see Jingoism), without, however, putting forward demands for independence for the Boer republics and without objecting to their annexation by England. After the liberals L.D. came to power in 1905-08 - min. trade and in 1908-15 - min. finance. In 1909, with great demagogy. Noisily passed a “revolutionary” budget, which slightly increased the tax on the empty lands of landlords and at the same time provided for large allocations for naval armaments. Treaty of Versailles 1919. With his consent and with his support, W. Churchill organized the armed forces. English interventions imperialism in Russia with the goal of overthrowing Soviet power and dismembering the country. Being more realistic. politician than Churchill, L.D. soon realized the futility and harmfulness of the policy of intervention for England and set a course for establishing relations with Soviet Russia, hoping to return it to capitalism in the future. economical way and political means. The failure of the government's policy in the Middle East, where it organized a war against the national liberation movement. movement in Turkey (see Greco-Turkish War 1919-22), allowed the conservatives in the conditions of a temporary decline in class. the struggle in England to remove L.D. from power and create a purely conservative government. After this, L.D., despite desperate maneuvering, was never able to return to power. With Hitler's rise to power in Germany, L.D. tried to flirt with him, believing that the German. Nazism could be a harmless anti-Soviet weapon for England. Convinced, however, of the opposite, he, guided by considerations of the security of England, began to actively advocate for an Anglo-Soviet agreement in order to suppress the Germans. aggression. L.D.'s star has set due to the collapse and fact. leaving political scenes english liberalism.

Works: The people's budget, explaiend by the chancellor of the exchequer, L., 1919; Through terror to triumph, speeches and pronouncements, L., 1915; The truth about reparations and war-debts, L., 1932; Goal and power, L., 1924; Is it peace?, L., 1923; The people's insurance, L., 1911; in Russian lane - Military memoirs, vol. 1-6, M., 1934-37; The truth about peace treaties, vol. 1-2, M., 1957.

Lit.: Erofeev N. A., Essays on the history of England 1815-1917, M., 1959; Trukhanovsky V.G., Foreign policy of England at the first stage of the general crisis of capitalism (1918-1939), M., 1962; Jones T., Lloyd George, L., 1951; Owen F., Tempestuous journey. Lloyd George, his life and times, L., 1954; Beaverbrook W. M. A., The decline and fall of Lloyd George, L., 1963.

V. G. Trukhanovsky. Moscow.

Soviet historical encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. Ed. E. M. Zhukova. 1973-1982 .

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Lloyd George David (17.1.1863, Manchester, ≈ 26.3.1945, Llanistamdwy, Caernarvonshire), British statesman, leader of the Liberal Party. Born into the family of a school teacher. He practiced law. In 1890... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

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Books

• D. Lloyd George. Speeches made during the war. Through horrors to victory! , David Lloyd-George. Lifetime edition. Petrograd, 1916. Book publishing house M. V. Popova. Typographic cover...

LLOYD GEORGE, DAVID(Lloyd George, David) (1863–1945), British statesman and prime minister. Born in Manchester on January 17, 1863, his father, a headmaster in Wales, died when David was 3 years old, and the family (mother and two sons) was helped by his mother's brother, the Baptist minister Richard Lloyd from North Wales. David, who aspired to a legal career, interned in an office in Portmadoc. Taking an active part in local political life, in 1890 he was elected as a Liberal MP in the House of Commons for the county of Caernarvon in north-west Wales. Lloyd George soon became known for his vigorous attacks on the Conservatives and his defense of Welsh nonconformists and nationalists. During the Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902 he sharply opposed the policies of Great Britain, as a result of which some attributed to him a pro-Boer position, while others called him a supporter of “Little England”. In the eyes of public opinion, he seemed committed to decisive action and a person capable of taking decisions upon himself. In 1905–1908, Lloyd George was Minister of Trade in the cabinet of G. Campbell-Bannerman, and in 1908 he took the post of Minister of Finance in the government of G. Asquith. In 1909 he presented his famous “people's” budget, which established increased taxes on luxury goods, income and empty lands of landlords. Lloyd George gave a brilliant speech in defense of the budget, which was sharply criticized by the Conservatives, and in a speech at Limehouse in London's docks he attacked the Conservatives and the wealthy classes of society. The budget adopted by the House of Commons was defeated by the Conservative majority in the House of Lords. When the Liberal government gained electoral support in 1910, the budget was eventually passed. The Budget was followed by the Social Services Reform Act, the Home Rule Bill for Ireland; the veto power that the House of Lords had was significantly limited (1911). In 1911, Lloyd George introduced the National Insurance Act, which gave the right to benefits for sickness and disability, as well as the Unemployment Insurance Act. Both were sharply criticized, but greatly helped England in the difficult post-war years.

When the First World War broke out, Lloyd George remained Chancellor of the Exchequer for another year, but when the army's supply of weapons became insufficient, and in May 1915 the cabinet was reorganized into the first coalition government, he became head of the newly created Ministry of Munitions. Despite his successes in this post, Lloyd George was not satisfied with the way the war was conducted. At the end of 1915 he became an ardent advocate of universal conscription, and in 1916 he passed a law on conscription. In June, after Kitchener's death, he was appointed Secretary of War. The fall of Romania increased Lloyd George's dissatisfaction with the course of the war and the adopted strategy, which was expressed in his proposal to reorganize the cabinet. After Asquith's resignation on December 5, 1916, Lloyd George became prime minister of the coalition government, although many liberals refused to support the cabinet and resigned along with the former prime minister. A small military committee of five members, a kind of “cabinet within a cabinet”, formed by Lloyd George, achieved a significant acceleration in the process of making operational decisions. In addition, trying to influence a change in strategy, Lloyd George sought the creation of a unified military command of the Allied armed forces, which was implemented only in April 1918. The unified command, as well as the arrival of American units somewhat earlier than scheduled, played a significant role in the successful conclusion of the war.

Before the Paris Peace Conference of 1919–1920, Lloyd George strengthened his position by winning the so-called "Khaki elections" (in which military personnel took part) in December 1918 in the atmosphere of bitterness and hero worship characteristic of the last period of the war. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilson and Georges Clemenceau in 1919; Lloyd George showed restraint and compliance during the negotiations. In 1919–1922, the popularity of the government began to gradually decrease: there were a number of strikes, including among railway workers, budget spending caused indignation and criticism of conservatives, and strict austerity measures caused discontent among radicals. The situation in Ireland remained deplorable, and at the same time, few were satisfied with the 1921 treaty, which granted dominion status to most of Ireland.

Despite all the dissatisfaction of the conservatives, Lloyd George was led to defeat by the right foreign policy. The pro-Greek policy turned out to be unsuccessful: in 1922 Turkey won the war, and the Chanak incident almost drew England into the war. In October 1922, Lloyd George was forced to resign. Bonar Law became Prime Minister. Lloyd George's activities as leader of the opposition (1926–1931) cannot be called successful. This was partly due to the gradual withering away of the Liberal Party, partly to the dislike of Asquithian Liberals for Lloyd George, and partly to the fact that the Liberals' program of benefits and reforms was intercepted by Labour.

However, during the economic crisis of the 1930s, Lloyd George was the only political leader to put forward fresh ideas about measures to combat unemployment. In foreign policy, he supported the course of appeasing the Axis powers. Lloyd George twice refused to enter Churchill's war cabinet. In 1944 he was created 1st Earl of Lloyd George of Dwyfor. Among his works are War memoirs (War Memoirs, 1933–1936); The truth about peace treaties (The Truth About the Peace Treaties, 1938). Lloyd George died in the town of Tynewyd near Llanstamdai (Carnarvon County, North Wales) on March 26, 1945.

DAVID LLOYD GEORGE

British statesman and politician, diplomat. Member of the House of Commons (1890–1945). Prime Minister of Great Britain (1916–1922). Leader of the Liberal Party (1926–1931). He played an important role at the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920) and in the preparation of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Head of the British delegation at the Genoa Conference (1922). He actively supported the idea of ​​creating a collective security system in Europe.

David George was born on January 17, 1863 in Manchester. His father, William, the son of a farmer from South-West Wales, was educated in London and then became a teacher. Returning to his homeland, Pembrokeshire, he rented a plot of land. In 1864, William George died of pneumonia. Mrs. George with three small children (the eldest daughter Mary was not yet three years old) moved to her brother in North Wales, to the village of Llanistamdwy.

From that time on, David's fate for several decades was connected with the fate of his uncle, shoemaker Richard Lloyd. In honor of this man, who replaced his father, David adopted the double surname Lloyd George.

He spent his childhood in the village of Llanistamdwy. After graduating from parish school, he passed three exams and received the rights of a solicitor - a solicitor or intercessor in cases. In Crichita, Lloy George founded his own law office.

In 1888, David married Maggie Owen, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. The chosen one's father did not consider Lloyd George a suitable match, but he managed to insist on his own. Fifty years later, the couple celebrated their golden wedding, although their paths would diverge long before that...

Also in 1888, Lloyd George was elected alderman (elder) of the municipality of the county of Caernarvon. His first steps in politics led him to the Chamber of Deputies (1890). During this period of his activity, the Welsh MP took a place on the left flank of the Liberal Party.

In 1890, Lloyd George settled in London. However, before the beginning of the 20th century, he often came to Wales. David was not even thirty years old when he became one of the leaders of the Welsh nationalists.

Lloyd George still believed that the Palace of Westminster played a major role in his political career. In 1898, he wrote to his uncle: “I accepted your motto - the chamber first of all.” Insolence, caustic ability to detect weak points in an opponent's motivation, and wit allowed Lloyd George to become a prominent parliamentarian.

When the Liberals came to power in 1905, Lloyd George made his participation in government subject to two conditions: changes to the education law and increased home rule for Wales. On December 12, 32-year-old David crossed the threshold of his Ministry of Commerce for the first time.

The Liberal Party remained in power for about ten years. Lloyd George had previously shown little interest in colonial affairs. However, the course towards rapprochement with the Boers aroused his enthusiasm. In 1906, he met with the South African politician and General Smuts, and later met other leaders of the dominions. Lloyd George increasingly turned to various projects for more rational exploitation of the colonies. He concluded that transforming and expanding the empire would help solve social problems within the country.

In Asquith's government, Lloyd George became Chancellor of the Exchequer (1908). This post was considered the second most important in the British cabinet.

In 1911, Lloyd George turned forty-eight years old. By this time, the “lion’s mane” and “opera” cloak of the Minister of Finance had become a landmark in London. The minister could often be seen at the Covent Garden Opera House. Bernard Shaw, Herbert Wales, the famous playwright J. Barry, G. Irving, Charles Chaplin and other figures of the English intelligentsia visited Lloyd George's house.

In England and abroad, Lloyd George, since the Boer War, has gained a reputation as a supporter of the peaceful resolution of international disputes. The Chancellor of the Exchequer himself diligently promoted this assessment, repeating that he intended to “devote himself entirely to the problems of peace, progress and social reform.”

At the beginning of the First World War, German leaders promised to achieve victory “before the autumn leaves fall.” On September 19, 1914, Lloyd George, speaking at a rally, recalled that throughout his political life he had been “disgusted at the prospect of participating in a great war.” But now he is convinced that participation is necessary because “our national honor” is affected, since England signed two treaties obliging it to “defend the independence, freedom and integrity of our little neighbor” - Belgium.

In early December 1916, Lloyd George became Prime Minister of Great Britain. This "dynamic politician" headed the coalition government until October 1922.

In the last days of the war, Lloyd George, in his speeches in parliament, emphasized major military successes, truces on certain fronts or the overthrow of governments in countries of a hostile coalition. He even tried to delay the dissemination of information about the truce with the Germans until his appearance in the chamber...

Lloyd George organized a “victory parade” in London, which was attended by Clemenceau, Foch, and Italian Prime Minister V. Orlando. The press wrote enthusiastically that Lloyd George was “the organizer of victory.” He brilliantly played out the “epilogue” of the war: he organized hasty elections and, at the head of the renewed coalition, strengthened himself as a “national” leader. At the end of December 1918, Lloyd George formed a new government and a few days later left for Paris, where the peace conference was opening.

The triumph of “armchair diplomacy” there was entirely consistent with the views of the British Prime Minister. In fact, all the main issues at the conference were decided by Lloyd George, Clemenceau and Wilson.

Even on the eve of the conference, several important meetings of leading figures of the victorious countries took place. Arriving in Europe at the end of the war, House, Wilson's chief adviser, tried to get the Allies to agree to the President's Fourteen Points. The second point of this American program proclaimed the principle of the so-called “freedom of the seas.” Fierce debate erupted around this point. Lloyd George declared: "Great Britain will spend every guinea to maintain the superiority of her fleet over that of the United States." In the end, House conceded on the issue of "freedom of the seas", which should be attributed to the diplomatic success of Lloyd George. However, the English Prime Minister understood that the main battles lay ahead. He carefully studied the plans of the United States and France and tried to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their leaders.

The first weeks of the conference completely satisfied the British Prime Minister. At the end of February, when Wilson was in the USA and Lloy George was in England, the latter said: “Wilson returned home with a bundle of banknotes. I returned with a pocket full of specie in the form of German colonies, Mesopotamia, etc. To each his own taste.”

On June 28, 1919, exactly five years after the Sarajevo murder, a peace treaty was signed in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The UK was the biggest winner. Germany was no longer a rival as a colonial, trading and naval power. The British expanded their sphere of influence to new territories rich in raw materials. In 1920, economists estimated that about 75 percent of the world's oil resources were under British control.

In 1920, of the entire “Big Four” (England, France, USA, Italy), only Lloyd George remained in power and therefore occupied a special position among other political leaders. The press called him “the coachman of Europe.” Lloyd George conducted his foreign policy with particular pleasure, having his own staff of unofficial diplomats (as well as his own informants in the Foreign Office). After Balfour, Curzon became Foreign Secretary. But the prime minister often ignored the minister’s opinion or acted behind his back. Poincaré said then that “England has two foreign affairs departments, Lord Curzon and Lloyd George.”

Lloyd George can be considered the creator of the "summit" system of meetings. In 1920–1922, with the active participation of the British Prime Minister, more than 30 international conferences and meetings were held. On his initiative, many of them were convened in the most picturesque corners of Europe.

In April 1920, he arrived in San Remo, where a conference opened on the development of a peace treaty with Turkey and other international problems. All the most important decisions here were made after confidential conversations between Lloyd George and the French Prime Minister Millerand and other leaders. The fate of the Near and Middle East was discussed in San Remo. Since 1919, England has strengthened its dominance in Arabia, Persia and Egypt, on the banks of the Bosphorus. The duel with France proceeded with an advantage for the British. Having broken Millerand's resistance, Lloyd George forced him to finally cede Palestine and Iraq with Mosul to Great Britain. The Anglo-French oil agreement sought to exclude the American oil business from sharing production. England, France and Italy concluded a secret pact to delimit spheres of influence and economic interests in the Middle East. A draft “peace treaty” with Turkey was agreed upon.

The conference in San Remo was called "the apogee of English power." “The East has been Britishized,” wrote the publicist J. Kaiser, noting that all seas, economic and political religious capitals, the Caliphate, Zionism, Eastern Catholicism, etc. are under England’s control.

At the direction of the British Cabinet of Ministers, a draft Anglo-Soviet economic agreement was developed. On November 18, 1920, Lloy George announced to the House that the project was ready. Having received his text and knowing Curzon’s hostility, Krasin addressed the note directly to the prime minister. Lloyd George, along with Horne, took over the negotiations. The last-minute changes were in line with Soviet wishes. On March 16, Horn and Krasin signed the text of the trade agreement. On March 29, 1921, the Prime Minister said in the House that “the trade agreement recognizes the Soviet government as the de facto government of Russia, which it undoubtedly is.”

But the financiers who gathered in Paris on New Year’s Eve recalled their claims to the Soviets, who did not intend to pay the tsar’s debts. The English prime minister quickly came to a formula: Moscow's consent to pay debts and compensation for nationalized enterprises is political recognition. A conference on this matter was scheduled to be held in Genoa.

At the Genoa Conference, the British delegation, numbering 100 people, turned out to be the largest. The first meeting opened on April 10 at the San Giorgio Palace. After the speech of the presiding officer, Italian Prime Minister Fact, Lloyd George took the floor. He painted a dramatic picture of an exhausted and disorganized Europe in need of "rest, peace and quiet." The establishment of the desired peace depends entirely on the outcome of the Genoa Conference... At the same meeting, the English Prime Minister acted in the usual role of a conciliator, trying to ensure that the stubborn French delegates abandoned discrimination against Soviet and German representatives when appointing the composition of subcommittees. “We participate in this meeting on the basis of... absolute equality,” said Lloyd George. The conference approved the realistic position he took.

On April 11, the Soviet delegation was presented with the text of the “London” memorandum. The Soviet side presented its response. The amount of damage caused to Russia by the intervention was more than twice as much as the debt claims.

On the morning of April 14, a discussion of controversial issues began. Lloyd George called the amount of Soviet counterclaims "utterly incomprehensible" and agreed to only minor concessions. The British Prime Minister continued to insist that Russia pay its pre-war debts. However, the Soviet side also did not concede. As a result, the negotiations reached a dead end.

At the end of April, Lloyd George made attempts to reach an “oil” agreement with Soviet Russia. He wanted to obtain the right to exploit Caucasian oil. But the Soviet delegation did not agree to this either. The reluctance of the parties to change their position doomed the conference to failure.

However, Lloyd George did not lose optimism. He stated that at the Hague Conference “the struggle for peace will continue.” But he did not go to The Hague, leaving the issues of official diplomacy to be resolved.

In 1922, Lloyd George's lover Frances Stevenson purchased the Chert estate in Sussex for him. Since 1923, he lived here constantly with Frances, only occasionally coming to the capital.

The fall of Lloyd George's coalition government became inevitable after the head of the cabinet was unable to obtain concessions from the Soviets, win a market for British coal in Northern Europe and better competition opportunities for British industrial products in Central Europe, etc. Having received his resignation, Lloyd George traveled to the USA and Canada in 1923. In the USA, the “leader of old Europe” met with President Coolidge, smoked the “peace pipe” with the leaders of Indian tribes, and made many speeches...

Until the early 1930s, Lloyd George remained the most famous political figure in the West. The former prime minister was confident for a long time that “the country would call him.”

In August 1931, MacDonald formed a "national" government. Alas, Lloyd George was seriously ill; his name was not listed in the new office. In November 1931, after early elections and the split of the liberals into three groups, he resigned as leader of the party.

Since the late 1920s, David traveled far: to Brazil, Egypt, India and Ceylon, and was treated in Jamaica. In 1932, his health was completely restored. Lloyd George, with the help of a staff of secretaries, wrote memoirs of the war and the post-war settlement. “War Memoirs” brought the author record fees and reader success.

In September 1936, Lloyd George visited Germany. He spoke highly of Hitler. And only the Nazi invasion of Spain made him change his mind. Lloyd George criticized Chamberlain's "Munich" course, energetically advocating rapprochement not only with France, but also with the USSR. During foreign policy debates in March 1939, he called for an agreement with Russia.

The last time Lloyd George played a significant role in political life was on May 8, 1940, when MPs demanded Chamberlain's resignation in the House of Commons. He remained calm and spoke of the need for “sacrifice” on the part of everyone. Chamberlain “calls for sacrifice,” Lloyd George exclaimed then, let him “set an example” and resign - “nothing will contribute to victory.”

Two days later, Churchill led the new coalition. He invited Lloyd George to join the government. He refused, just as he rejected the offer to become ambassador to the United States...

Early in 1941, Lloyd George received news that Margaret, who had long lived in Briccita, was dying. He went to her, but was late - Maggie was no longer alive...

Until 1944, Lloyd George lived almost continuously in Cherta. After the German attack on the USSR, he immediately spoke out for the unity of action between England and the Soviet Union.

In October 1943, Lloyd George's wedding to Frances Stevenson took place without witnesses. Soon doctors discovered he had a cancerous tumor. The disease progressed quickly... In the autumn of 1944, Lloyd George and his wife moved to a farm near Llanystumdwy. On New Year's Eve he took part in a children's party. The famous speaker Lloyd George, addressing children, was no longer able to put together a few words. He also listened to readings of Dickens's novels, rejoiced at the victories of the Allies, and wanted to make a speech about peace. No longer in the lower house, but in the House of Peers. The longtime enemy of the lords took the title of count... But life was quickly fading away. On March 26, 1945, the “little Welshman” passed away. David Lloyd George was buried on the banks of the River Dwyfor - where he spent his childhood.

David LLOYD GEORGE (1863–1945) British politician A politician is a person whose policies you disagree with. Otherwise, this is already a statesman. * * * It’s amazing how smart a politician can be ten years after he should have been smart. * * * There is nothing

Lloyd George David Lloyd George David (17.1.1863, Manchester, - 26.3.1945, Llanistamdwy, Carnarvonshire), British statesman, leader of the Liberal Party. Born into the family of a school teacher. He practiced law. In 1890 he was first elected to parliament.