You have 3 free guides left 😟
Unlock your guides14.4 The Iron Curtain and the Beginning of the Cold War
4 min read•august 1, 2024
The divided Europe after World War II, marking the start of the Cold War. This physical and ideological barrier separated communist Eastern Europe from the capitalist West, symbolizing the growing tensions between the and Western powers.
The Cold War emerged as the US and USSR competed for global influence. Their opposing ideologies, nuclear arms race, and formation of rival military alliances like and the shaped international politics for decades, leading to and crises worldwide.
The Iron Curtain: Definition and Symbolism
Concept and Origin
Top images from around the web for Concept and Origin
Iron Curtain - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Iron Curtain Final.svg - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
Cold War – Modern World History View original
Is this image relevant?
Iron Curtain - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Iron Curtain Final.svg - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Concept and Origin
Iron Curtain - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Iron Curtain Final.svg - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
Cold War – Modern World History View original
Is this image relevant?
Iron Curtain - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Iron Curtain Final.svg - Wikimedia Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Iron Curtain divided Europe into two separate areas from 1945 until 1991
- popularized the term in his 'Sinews of Peace' address in 1946
- Represented ideological conflict and physical boundary between Soviet and Western spheres of influence
- Symbolized division between communist and capitalist states
- Limited movement of people and information between sides
- Extended beyond Europe, influencing global politics and alliances
Physical Manifestations
- constructed in 1961 embodied the Iron Curtain concept
- Physically divided East and
- Other physical barriers included:
- Fortified borders between East and West Germany
- Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin
- Watchtowers and guard posts along the inner German border
Impact on European Society
- Separated families and communities
- Created distinct economic systems on either side
- Centrally planned economies in the East
- Market-driven economies in the West
- Resulted in divergent cultural and social developments
- Limited cultural exchange between East and West
- Propaganda efforts on both sides to influence public opinion
Emergence of the Cold War
Ideological and Political Factors
- Fundamental ideological differences between and Soviet Union
- and democracy vs. and authoritarianism
- Power vacuum in Europe following World War II led to struggle for influence
- Yalta and Potsdam Conferences in 1945 revealed growing tensions among Allied powers
- Disagreements over post-war order in Europe
- Conflicting visions for Germany's future
- and control over Eastern European countries raised Western concerns
- Establishment of communist governments in Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia
Military and Strategic Developments
- United States' development and use of atomic weapons in 1945 created new military dimension
- and bombings
- Soviet efforts to develop their own nuclear capabilities
- of 1947 aimed to contain Soviet influence
- Provided aid to Greece and Turkey
- of 1948 focused on rebuilding Western Europe
- Economic assistance to European countries
- Excluded Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc
- Formation of military alliances solidified opposing blocs
- NATO established in 1949 (Western alliance)
- Warsaw Pact formed in 1955 (Eastern Bloc alliance)
Cold War Impact on Global Politics
Bipolar World Order
- Most countries aligned with either United States or Soviet Union
- became platform for ideological confrontation
- Security Council veto power of US and USSR
- Debates often reflected East-West divide
- shaped American foreign policy
- Interventions to prevent spread of communism (Vietnam, Korea)
- Arms race resulted in massive military buildups
- Development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
- Nuclear submarines and bombers
Global Consequences
- Proxy wars occurred in various parts of the world
- (1950-1953)
- (1955-1975)
- Afghan-Soviet War (1979-1989)
- Cold War influenced decolonization processes
- Newly independent nations pressured to choose sides
- Examples: Congo Crisis, Cuban Revolution
- International cooperation in science and technology affected
- Space Race stimulated advancements (Sputnik, Apollo missions)
- Restrictions on scientific exchange between blocs
Early Cold War Crises
European Crises
- (1948-1949) marked first major crisis in Europe
- Soviet blockade of West Berlin
- Western Allies responded with Berlin Airlift
- of 1956 highlighted limits of reform in Eastern Bloc
- Soviet forces suppressed uprising
- Demonstrated Soviet commitment to maintaining control
- Construction of Berlin Wall in 1961 symbolized division of Europe
- Prevented East Germans from fleeing to the West
- Became iconic symbol of Cold War division
Global Confrontations
- Korean War (1950-1953) represented first major proxy war
- North Korea (supported by USSR and China) vs. South Korea (supported by US and UN forces)
- Resulted in division of Korean Peninsula
- of 1956 demonstrated declining European power
- UK, France, and Israel intervened in Egypt
- US and USSR pressured for withdrawal, highlighting superpower influence
- in 1960 increased US-Soviet tensions
- American U-2 shot down over Soviet territory
- Derailed planned summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev
- of 1962 brought world to brink of nuclear war
- Soviet missiles discovered in Cuba
- US naval blockade and negotiations led to Soviet withdrawal
- Resulted in establishment of
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
