Excerpt from Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech:
"A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory. Nobody knows what Soviet Russia and its Communist international organisation intends to do in the immediate future, or what are the limits, if any, to their expansive and proselytizing tendencies. I have a strong admiration and regard for the valiant Russian people and for my wartime comrade, Marshal Stalin. There is deep sympathy and goodwill in Britain - and I doubt not here also - towards the peoples of all the Russia's and a resolve to persevere through many differences and rebuffs in establishing lasting friendships. We understand the Russian need to be secure on her western frontiers by the removal of all possibility of German aggression. We welcome Russia to her rightful place among the leading nations of the world. We welcome her flag upon the seas. Above all, we welcome constant, frequent and growing contacts between the Russian people and our own people on both sides of the Atlantic. It is my duty however, for I am sure you would wish me to state the facts as I see them to you, to place before you certain facts about the present position in Europe.
From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia, all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and, in many cases, increasing measure of control from Moscow. Athens alone - Greece with its immortal glories - is free to decide its future at an election under British, American and French observation. The Russian-dominated Polish Government has been encouraged to make enormous and wrongful inroads upon Germany, and mass expulsions of millions of Germans on a scale grievous and undreamed-of are now taking place. The Communist parties, which were very small in all these Eastern States of Europe, have been raised to pre-eminence and power far beyond their numbers and are seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control. Police governments are prevailing in nearly every case, and so far, except in Czechoslovakia, there is no true democracy.
Turkey and Persia are both profoundly alarmed and disturbed at the claims which are being made upon them and at the pressure being exerted by the Moscow Government. An attempt is being made by the Russians in Berlin to build up a quasi-Communist party in their zone of Occupied Germany by showing special favors to groups of left-wing German leaders. At the end of the fighting last June, the American and British Armies withdrew westwards, in accordance with an earlier agreement, to a depth at some points of 150 miles upon a front of nearly four hundred miles, in order to allow our Russian allies to occupy this vast expanse of territory which the Western Democracies had conquered.
If now the Soviet Government tries, by separate action, to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas, this will cause new serious difficulties in the British and American zones, and will give the defeated Germans the power of putting themselves up to auction between the Soviets and the Western Democracies. Whatever conclusions may be drawn from these facts - and facts they are - this is certainly not the Liberated Europe we fought to build up. Nor is it one which contains the essentials of permanent peace.
The safety of the world requires a new unity in Europe, from which no nation should be permanently outcast. It is from the quarrels of the strong parent races in Europe that the world wars we have witnessed, or which occurred in former times, have sprung. Twice in our own lifetime we have seen the United States, against their wishes and their traditions, against arguments, the force of which it is impossible not to comprehend, drawn by irresistible forces, into these wars in time to secure the victory of the good cause, but only after frightful slaughter and devastation had occurred. Twice the United States has had to send several millions of its young men across the Atlantic to find the war; but now war can find any nation, wherever it may dwell between dusk and dawn. Surely we should work with conscious purpose for a grand pacification of Europe, within the structure of the United Nations and in accordance with its Charter. That I feel is an open cause of policy of very great importance.
In front of the iron curtain which lies across Europe are other causes for anxiety. In Italy the Communist Party is seriously hampered by having to support the Communist-trained Marshal Tito's claims to former Italian territory at the head of the Adriatic. Nevertheless the future of Italy hangs in the balance. Again one cannot imagine a regenerated Europe without a strong France. All my public life I have worked for a strong France and I never lost faith in her destiny, even in the darkest hours. I will not lose faith now. However, in a great number of countries, far from the Russian frontiers and throughout the world, Communist fifth columns are established and work in complete unity and absolute obedience to the directions they receive from the Communist center. Except in the British Commonwealth and in the United States where Communism is in its infancy, the Communist parties or fifth columns constitute a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization. These are somber facts for anyone to have to recite on the morrow of a victory gained by so much splendid comradeship in arms and in the cause of freedom and democracy; but we should be most unwise not to face them squarely while time remains."
1. Why is Churchill so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2?
2. What is the "iron curtain" that Churchill refers to in the speech?
1. Churchill was concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because they were growing in power, and abusing it. After the war, they started to 'bully' the defeated Germany and made many expulsions of rank out of them. They also gained a vast amount of territory and grew their communist parties; not many of them being democratic. Because Churchill, and basically America, does not favor communist parties over democratic, Churchill would be logically concerned that it may spread, and eventually exceed their plans of spreading democracy. His concerns would go further, along with the fact that Russia was a very big country that time, so the more the Soviet Union would grow, the larger rivalry and tension rise throughout Europe and America.
ReplyDelete2. The "iron curtain" that Churchill referred to several times in his speech was the term of the boundaries between Soviet Russia and the countries outside. Although not a physical 'iron curtain, it was a metaphor that really symbolized the tensions and conflict between them and the western side of their borders (mainly Europe and America). It seemed like during that time, while Europe had a democratic system for their governments, the Soviet Union had communism and fended on their own, but surprisingly well during that time. Their growth of communism grew to become a concern for Churchill and the other leaders of the country.
H.Y.
Churchill was so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because he was afraid that Soviet Russia was going to take over Europe. The damage was really bad in Europe after World War 2. He also doesn’t want to start a war with Russia and have more damages. When the Soviet Union builds up a pro-communist Germany in their areas, this will cause new serious difficulties in the British and American zones.
ReplyDeleteThe “iron curtain” Winston Churchill refers to in his speech is the thing that separates the countries of Europe. It has descended across the continent. Behind the line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. In front of the line is Italy and France. One cannot imagine a regenerated Europe without a strong France.
-A.U.
Churchill is concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2. If the Soviet Union tries to build up a communism, it would cause problems for America and Great Britain. Both countries are against communism. If the Soviet Union tried to promote this type of government, I think that it is inevitable for them to eventually go to war. Typically, every type of government wants their government to be the best, so I think that Churchill right to be concerned.
ReplyDeleteIn his speech, Churchill mentions an iron curtain. This iron curtain represents the physical boundary separating Europe after World War 2. It also represents the ideological conflict in Europe. On the east side of the curtain were the countries that were associated with the Soviet Union. On the other side, economic and militaristic alliances were formed by the states. This wall lasted until the end of the Cold War.
e.l.
Churchill was so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 for many reasons. One main reason of concern was the spread of communism. Due to the state of the economy and the overall lack of resources/food in Europe after World War 2, Churchill was afraid that a dictatorship might raise up. One good example of this was in Germany. Hitler came to power because he promised a better future for the people and a better economy.
ReplyDeleteIn Churchill's famous Sinews of Peace speech he address the term Iron Curtain. The term Iron Curtain is basically a international symbol of communism in the Eastern part of Europe. It was also the oppression and removal of human rights. The Iron Curtain was basically enforced to split Europe into 2 parts (East/West) to prevent communism from spreading to the west side. Churchill wanted to show that there was no alliance between the two countries.
-S.Li
1. After WWII the Soviet Union as well as the U.S. were world powers. There was one crucial difference however. The US was A democratic country while the Soviet Union was Communist. This pose a very serious problem for the US and it's British allies. The reason why this was a serious threat was because after World War II there were many countries that were in rebuilding mode, this made it very easy for either side influence their beliefs on those countries. Winston Churchill believe that the Soviet Union would have A very easy time spreading Communism and that's what worried him the most.
ReplyDelete2. The Iron Curtain which Winston Churchill is referring to in the speech was a boundary that separated Europe. It existed from the end of World War II in 1945 to the end of the Cold War. The purpose of this "Iron Curtain" was to separate the Soviet Union and its branches from the Western countries and other non-Soviet countries. This Iron Curtain was not a physical Wall but rather A term that people used when talking about the boundary. The Iron Curtain is most commonly confuse with the Berlin wall which was a physical wall that went up around August of 1960.
-GG
1. Churchill noticed the Soviet Union was doing something. Since the Soviet union is having their 5 year plan they are going to build up its economy. Churchill said "If now the Soviet Government tries, by separate action, to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas, this will cause new serious difficulties in the British and American zones, and will give the defeated Germans the power of putting themselves up to auction between the Soviets and the Western Democracies." So he knows that the Soviet union is going to take action soon.
ReplyDelete2. Churchill viewed as the iron curtain like the famous cities are dividing themselves. This speech took place in America. The speech had something to do with the cold war. These cities and cities around them were like blocking themselves with these "iron curtain.
-E.P
Churchill is concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because what if the Soviet Government tries, by divide activity, to advance a genius Communist Germany in their regions, this will result in new challenges in the British and American zones, and will give the vanquished Germans the force of putting themselves up to closeout between the Soviets and the Western Democracies. Whatever conclusions may be drawn from these actualities - and truths they are - this is surely not the Liberated Europe we battled to advance. Nor is it one which holds the essentials of lasting peace.
ReplyDeleteThe "iron curtain" that Churchill refers to in the speech is symbolizing the division of Europe into two separated parts. One is where Russia and her satellite nations, which shaped military Warsaw Pact and investment Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. The other is popularity based areas of Western Europe which shaped North Atlantic Treaty Organization (with USA) and European Community.
-SC
1. Churchill is very concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2. This is because after world war 2, the Soviet Union was attempting to plant it's 'seeds' across Europe. For instance, in the passage above, it states that if the Soviet Government tries to build up a pro-Communist Germany, "this will cause new serious difficulties in the British and American zones, and will give the defeated Germans the power of putting themselves up to auction between the Soviets and the Western Democracies." This means that this will cause disruption of peace and safety of Europe.
ReplyDelete2. The "iron curtain" that Churchill refers to in the speech is the boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War. The iron curtain took the shape of border defenses between the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, At both sides of the Iron curtain, the states developed their own economic and political systems. Ultimately separating the two in half, creating an "iron curtain."
- J.L
Churchill was concerned about the Soviet Union because he saw that after world War two, Europe was vulnerable. Almost every country was dirt broke and in chaos. Citizens were desperate for good and would do anything for food. It was a perfect opportunity for the Soviet Union to occupy Europe because first, Europe can't defend themselves against the Soviets and the Soviets could easily promise food in return their dignity and freedom. And with Soviets in control, Europe would become communist dominate, which is the rival of capitalism.
ReplyDeleteThe iron curtain is an imaginary boundary between communist and capitalist influences. There is no official border but there the curtains is just a metaphor for saying that you can't go pass or see the other side, the curtain is a factor that kept the US and Soviet Union from sparking a war - r.j
Churchill was concerned about the Soviet Union because he saw that after world War two, Europe was vulnerable. Almost every country was dirt broke and in chaos. Citizens were desperate for good and would do anything for food. It was a perfect opportunity for the Soviet Union to occupy Europe because first, Europe can't defend themselves against the Soviets and the Soviets could easily promise food in return their dignity and freedom. And with Soviets in control, Europe would become communist dominate, which is the rival of capitalism.
ReplyDeleteThe iron curtain is an imaginary boundary between communist and capitalist influences. There is no official border but there the curtains is just a metaphor for saying that you can't go pass or see the other side, the curtain is a factor that kept the US and Soviet Union from sparking a war - r.j
1) After World War 2, Soviet Union and America both took parts of German, Soviet Union took the east, and America took the west, both country were trying hard to make German part of their nation. Churchill was really concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because the Soviet Union wanted to make Germans all communist.
ReplyDelete2) When Churchill said "iron curtain" in his speech, he referred it as the line that separates the east and west German. Which is the separated capitalist west (America) and communist east (Soviet Union). He used the "iron curtain" as a metaphor. But later this metaphor became a reality with the construction of the Berlin wall.
-KZ
1.Churchill is a man (the prime minister)of Britian and seems to have concern about the Soviet Union. He is concerned because even after the victory of the allied forces they do not know anything about the Soviet Russia. They are doubtful of what they will do next so they welcome Russia. They want to have a friendship with Russia.
ReplyDelete2.The iron curtain is the term Churchill used to describe the boundary that seperated the European countries. It was both a physical and idealological way people view Europe after World War II. It seperated the countries that were connected to the Soviet Union from the countries with democratic governments. It was a term used throughout the Cold War.
P.K.
1.the reason that Churchill was concerned about soviot union after world war 2 is that many nation in Europe was in heavy dept after world war 2 and many people became poor because the economic crisis after the war, and that is the perfect condition the the communism to spread around Europe to cause many European nations to become communist just like the Soviet Union, and plus stallion have already set pro-communist in to these nations to support them,
ReplyDelete1,the iron curtain that seperates European nations with Soviet Union during Churchill's speech is the differences between political systems, and on one side of the iron curtain we have the European natons, which they are meanly democratic, but one the other side of the curtain we have Soviet Union, the communist nation, and Churchill is referring the different system as the iron curtain.
J,l
1) Winston Churchill was concerned about the Soviet Union because nobody knew what the Soviet Russia and its Communist international organisation intends to do in the immediate future.Or what was its limites.He had a strong admiration & regard for the valliant Russian people. I think that Winston Churchill was afriad the Russia was going to over people & wonder that will happen in the future.
ReplyDelete2 From the speech of Winston Churchill made and refers to the Soviet Union having a "wall" of sorts closing off the Soviet empire from the rest of the world. As a way of describing the physical boundary division or ideological difference between the countries that were aligned to North Atlantic Treaty Organization and those that were part of the Warsaw pact from 1945 up until the end of cold war in 1991.And it generally staterd the cold war.
J.G 03/09/14 9th
Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because if they try to build a pro-communist Germany it would cause a lot of trouble for the British and for the Americans. A pro-communist Germany would lead to them putting themselves up for “auction” between the Soviet Union and the Western countries. If Germany ended up doing that, then they wouldn’t be adhering to the “Liberated Europe” that the Allies fought for. It would be straying from the “Liberated Europe” that they fought for because Germany would basically be allowing themselves to be ruled by another country. Germany being ruled by another country wouldn’t contain the “essentials of permanent peace” because it would most likely lead to a Revolution.
ReplyDeleteThe “iron curtain” that Churchill refers to in his speech is caused by the fact that there are two different alliances that partially divide Europe into two different parts. The metaphor of a curtain made of iron was used to represent the fact that there was a hostile barrier blocking the exchange of political and social ideas -- a division between military defenses and alliances, and a barrier of economic trade between the Soviet Union and the rest of the non-Communist European community. I believe that the iron curtain was caused by the fact that approximately half of the major countries in Europe had democratic governments and the other half had communist governments. The division of government systems caused a rift that Churchill referred to as the iron curtain.
-SRPT