Iron Curtain Speech Flashcards
Who gave the Iron Curtain speech?
Winston Churchill
Was Churchill still PM at this point?
No - but he was considered a world statesman
Where did Churchill give his Iron Curtain speech?
In Fulton, Missouri
Who was on stage when Churchill gave his speech?
Harry Truman
What did Churchill mean when he said ‘an iron curtain has descended’?
He was condemning the Soviet Union for its brutal takeover of eastern Europe
Was there actually an iron curtain or wall?
No. The iron curtain was how Churchill described the divide between the eastern Europe and the West
Complete the Churchill quote: “From ________ on the _______ to ________ on the _________ “
Stettin, Baltic, Trieste, Adriatic
When was the Iron Curtain speech given?
In March 1946
What did Churchill argue the Communists were trying to achieve in eastern Europe?
“totalitarian control”
How did Stalin respond to Churchill’s speech?
With anger. He called Churchill a “firebrand of war” and compared him to Hitler
Why did Stalin compare Churchill to Hitler?
Stalin argued Hitler caused war by declaring Aryans were the superior race. He said Churchill was now doing the same, saying only English speaking nations were “fully valuable” nations.
Why else did Stalin argue his actions in eastern Europe were justified?
Soviet control of eastern Europe provided security for the USSR.
Did Churchill cause the Cold War?
According to one historian, Churchill’s speech did not cause the Cold War - but he was the first person to stop pretending to be friendly with the USSR.
Therefore, arguably, it marked the beginning of the Cold War.
