“If Hitler invaded hell I would make at least a favorable reference to the devil in the House of Commons.”
This powerful statement captures the essence of Winston Churchill. It combines razor-sharp wit with brutal political pragmatism. Spoken at a pivotal moment in World War II, this quote reveals the mindset of a leader facing an existential threat. It showcases his willingness to make unthinkable alliances to achieve a singular goal: the defeat of Nazi Germany. To truly understand its weight, we must explore the historical context, dissect its meaning, and appreciate its enduring legacy.
The Precipice of War: The Context Behind the Quote
To grasp the quote’s gravity, we must return to June 1941. At this time, Great Britain stood largely alone against the might of Hitler’s war machine. The future of Europe looked bleak. Then, on June 22, 1941, Hitler made a fateful decision. He launched Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union. This act of betrayal against his erstwhile ally, Joseph Stalin, completely reshaped the war.
For Churchill, this was a moment of immense strategic importance. Source However, it also presented a deep ideological conflict. Churchill was a lifelong, vehement anti-communist. He had fiercely opposed the Bolshevik Revolution and consistently warned against the dangers of Soviet communism for over two decades. . The Soviet Union, under the brutal dictatorship of Stalin, represented a political system he utterly despised. Suddenly, the enemy of his enemy had become a potential ally.
A Devil’s Bargain
Churchill’s private secretary, Jock Colville, noted the Prime Minister’s intentions the night before he would publicly address the invasion. When Colville remarked on Churchill’s past anti-communist rhetoric, Churchill delivered the famous line. It was not just a clever quip. It was a concise summary of his forthcoming policy. He understood that the immediate, existential threat of Nazism trumped his long-standing ideological opposition to communism. The quote perfectly articulated his difficult but necessary choice: he would align with the “devil” (Stalin) to defeat a greater evil (Hitler).
Dissecting the Devil’s Reference
Every part of Churchill’s statement is crafted for maximum impact. It is a masterclass in political communication, designed to justify a controversial alliance to the British people and the world.
First, the hypothetical scenario, “If Hitler invaded hell,” is a brilliant piece of rhetoric. It immediately establishes Hitler as a figure of absolute, transcendent evil. In this framing, Hitler is a force so malevolent that he would even seek to conquer the underworld. This hyperbole serves a crucial purpose. It diminishes the evil of any potential ally by comparison. By painting Hitler as a cosmic-level threat, Churchill makes an alliance with the “devil” seem not only reasonable but necessary.
Furthermore, the phrase “make at least a favorable reference to the devil” is a carefully worded understatement. The “devil,” of course, is a metaphor for Joseph Stalin and the USSR. Churchill isn’t promising to embrace communism. Instead, he is committing to the minimum required for a military alliance. He will say what needs to be said to secure a partner in the fight. This pragmatic language reassured those who shared his distrust of the Soviet Union. It signaled that this was a temporary, strategic alliance of convenience, not a permanent ideological marriage.
Finally, grounding the statement “in the House of Commons” is vital. This transforms a personal sentiment into a public declaration of political intent. Churchill affirms that he is prepared to stand before Parliament and defend this uncomfortable alliance. It underscores his accountability and his role as a democratic leader making a tough choice for national survival.
The Grand Alliance: From Words to Action
Churchill’s words were not empty rhetoric. They immediately translated into action. The night he learned of the invasion, he broadcast a speech to the nation. In it, he declared that any state fighting against Nazism would have British aid. This speech laid the groundwork for the Grand Alliance between the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and later, the United States.
This alliance was fraught with tension and mistrust. Churchill, Stalin, and American President Franklin D. Roosevelt were an unlikely trio of leaders. They held fundamentally different visions for the post-war world. Yet, they were united by the common goal of defeating the Axis powers. Britain and the United States began sending vast quantities of military supplies to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program. This material support was crucial for the Soviet war effort on the Eastern Front, which absorbed the vast majority of German military power.
Churchill’s quote perfectly encapsulates the principle of “realpolitik”—a political philosophy that prioritizes practical, material factors over ideological or ethical considerations. In the desperate struggle for survival, ideological purity was a luxury Britain could not afford. The quote became the unofficial motto for this uneasy but ultimately victorious partnership.
The Enduring Legacy of a Pragmatic Proverb
Decades after World War II, Churchill’s quote continues to resonate. It is frequently invoked to explain and justify alliances of convenience in international politics. Whenever two opposing nations find a common enemy, this statement serves as a historical precedent. It reminds us that in geopolitics, choices are often not between good and evil, but between a lesser evil and a greater one.
Moreover, the quote is a timeless example of effective leadership and communication. Churchill possessed a unique ability to distill complex strategic decisions into memorable, powerful language. He could rally a nation behind a difficult policy by framing it with clarity, wit, and moral force. This statement prepared the British public for a shocking reversal of foreign policy and demonstrated that their leader was a clear-eyed realist.
In conclusion, the quote about Hitler and the devil is far more than a clever remark. It is a profound statement on the nature of war, politics, and survival. Born from the crucible of World War II, it defined a pivotal strategic shift that led to the formation of the Grand Alliance. It remains a powerful lesson in pragmatism, reminding us that when faced with an existential threat, leaders must sometimes be willing to sup with the devil to save the world.