Iron Curtain
Definition
A political boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II until the end of Cold War in 1991. The term symbolizes efforts by Soviet Union to block itself and its satellite states from open contact with West and non-Soviet-controlled areas.
Analogy
Imagine if you had a huge curtain running through your house separating you from your siblings - you can't see what they're doing or interact with them freely. That's what it was like between East (Soviet Union & allies) & West Europe during this time period.
Related terms
Cold War: This was like a long-standing feud between two families (in this case, US-led Western Bloc & Soviet-led Eastern Bloc), marked by mutual suspicions, tensions & several standoffs but no direct large-scale fighting between them.
Berlin Wall: Like a physical manifestation of the "no trespassing" sign in your imaginary house, this wall was built by East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Berlin.
Containment: This is like when your parents step in to stop the feud from escalating. It was a US foreign policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism by creating alliances and helping weak countries resist Soviet advances.
"Iron Curtain" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (12)
What was the Iron Curtain during the Cold War?
Who coined the term "Iron Curtain" to describe Europe's post-WWII division into democratic Western and communist Eastern blocs?
What is Winston Churchill's famous speech during WWII that refers to an "Iron Curtain" across Europe?
What was the long-term implication of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech on Europe's political landscape?
What term became widely used to describe an "iron curtain" across Europe, dividing Eastern Communist countries from Western democratic nations after WWII?
What was the primary reason for Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech after World War II?
The term 'Iron Curtain' referred to which specific aspect of post-WWII geopolitics?
Who was the main audience of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech made in America?
Who first coined the term "Iron Curtain," symbolizing the divide between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries during the Cold War?
Which leader delivered the speech famously known as “Sinews of Peace” that introduced the term 'Iron Curtain'?
What impact did the fall of Iron Curtain have on intra-European migrations?
When did Winston Churchill give his famous "Iron Curtain" speech suggesting the divide between western democracies and eastern communist countries?
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