Ernest Bevin

Ernest Bevin

"United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs"

Full name:

Ernest Bevin

Date and place of birth:

9 March 1881, Winsford, Somerset, England

Date and place of death:

14 April 1951 (aged 70), London, England

Education:

  • Orphaned at a young age, he received only a basic education at a local village school and left formal education by the age of 11.
  • Bevin educated himself through his involvement in the labor movement and extensive reading, which shaped his understanding of workers' rights and political organization.

“A newspaper has three things to do. One is to amuse, another is to entertain and the rest is to mislead.”

- Ernest Bevin

Career:

  • 1909: Bevin became a full-time official for the Dock, Wharf, Riverside, and General Workers' Union, which later became the Transport and General Workers' Union.
  • By 1922: Bevin had risen to become the general secretary of the TGWU.
  • Throughout the 1920s and 1930s: He played a pivotal role in organizing labor strikes and advocating for workers' rights.
  • During World War II: Bevin was appointed Minister of Labour and National Service in Winston Churchill's wartime coalition government.
  • After the war: Bevin became Foreign Secretary in Clement Attlee's Labour government.
  • 1949: Bevin was instrumental in the creation of NATO, helping to establish a strong Western alliance against the Soviet Union during the early years of the Cold War.

Contribution to Europe:

  • Leading the Creation of NATO: As Foreign Secretary, Bevin played a crucial role in post-war Europe, mostly by leading the creation of NATO to protect Western Europe from Soviet expansion.
  • Advocating European Cooperation: Bevin was also a strong advocate for European cooperation, playing a key role in the early discussions that led to the formation of what is now the European Union.
  • Promoting European Integration: He helped start European integration by encouraging European nations to work together on security and economic recovery.

Vision for Europe:

  • Bevin wanted a Europe united in defense and rebuilding after World War II. He believed alliances like NATO and economic cooperation were crucial for peace and stability.
  • Bevin's vision focused on working together for security and prosperity as the basis for a peaceful and stable Europe.

Bevin in 1920

Bevin in 1920

Ernest Bevin standing to the right of Winston Churchill who waves to crowds on VE Day, Whitehall, London, England, 8th of May 1945

Ernest Bevin standing to the right of Winston Churchill who waves to crowds on VE Day, Whitehall, London, England, 8th of May 1945

Ernest Bevin (left) with Clement Attlee, 1945

Ernest Bevin (left) with Clement Attlee, 1945

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