The Significance of the Iron Curtain at World War II and the Cold War Essay

Introduction

The Iron Curtain is one of the historical aspects considered when focusing on World War II and the Cold War. Different countries engaged in conflicts, which led to the development of political boundary that alienated European countries into discrete regions. The Iron Curtain primarily involved the Soviet Union blocking some European countries from accessing their satellites. The Soviet Union ensured that the East side of the Iron Curtain connected its allies. The military was also involved in the Iron Curtain since alliances were developed on both sides. The Iron Curtain impacted the economy since various countries operated market finances with their allies, leading to limited trades between nations from the East and West. Immigration restrictions were enacted since the movement of people from the East to the West was restricted. Therefore, one can focus on the various issues involved during the Iron Curtain period and how they relate to contemporary problems.

The Identification of the Historical Figure and Background

Different events in various countries characterized the Iron Curtain. It was developed in 1946 and ended in 1991 after the Cold War (Burohaima Lobna, 2016). ¹ Although many people knew the phrase, its use by Winston Churchill during a speech in Missouri in 1946 increased its popularity (Burohaima Lobna, 2016).² One of the Iron Curtain events is the Cold War since it was extended to the airwaves and led to changes in relationships among countries. It primarily involved the Soviet Union, the US, and their respective allies. Thus, the Soviet Union ensured that it heightened its isolation with the non-communist states. Surprisingly, many people claimed that Churchill’s speech increased tension in many countries since more people learned about the Iron Curtain. The expansion of the Soviet Union was addressed, creating awareness in the world. Moreover, many people termed the Churchill’s event as the Iron Curtain Speech since it focused on limiting the Soviet Union from its extension of power without any constraint. Churchill encouraged the US and the UK to unite and ensure that they ended the actions that the Soviet Union was exercising (Larres Klaus, 2018).³ Thus, the speech’s popularity led many people from the West to learn and accept the metaphor.

Stalin heard about Winston’s speech and responded in the Pravda newspaper, where he accused him of warmongering. Stalin defended the Soviet Union claiming that Eastern European states had a strong relationship with his nation and their aim was to safeguard against another invasion (Larres Klaus, 2018).⁴ Additionally, he claimed that Churchill created conflicts in Eastern European states and wanted more countries to invade the Soviet Union. Stalin also accused Churchill of criticizing the Soviet Union’s agenda for protecting its territories.

A decline in economic development is another factor that was experienced during the era of the Iron Curtain. Typically, disputes impact businesses since investors focus on their products’ safety and ensure that they limit the chances of experiencing losses. Moreover, international trades are primarily affected by wars and disputes. Therefore, Iron Curtain had a significant influence on varius countries’ economies and global budget by large (Batáry et al. 2014).⁵ Soviet Union allies ensured that they avoided engaging in trading activities with other non-communist states. Additionally, many people were afraid of working in countries that were mainly part of the conflicts. For instance, foreigners from some European countries evaded opportunities in the Soviet Union due to the fear of encountering wars. This issue is also experienced in the modern world, whereby many investors and workers do not invest in countries associated with insecurity. For instance, individuals do not capitalize in countries such as Syria and Somalia due to the increased cases of terror attacks. Similarly, the escalating tension due to Iron Curtain limited development in different sectors, leading to low economic growth.

Immigration restrictions are another significant aspects that were associated with the Iron Curtain. The movement issue was addressed in Yalta Conference, whereby the Western allies ensured that they would return all Soviet Union citizens present in their regions to their country. Many individuals were affected by these restrictions since they were forced to relocate to other areas. For instance, laborers encountered problems since they were required to leave their jobs and return to their states (Levering Ralph, 2017).⁶ Correspondingly, refugees were forced to flee their camps as tensions increased in various regions. These aspects can also be compared to different issues that are being experienced in the contemporary world. For instance, there are cases of refugees who have been forced to relocate due to tension in some areas. Cases of immigrants who have been attacked in their encampments have also been reported in various regions. Additionally, some people have been forced to return to their origins due to disputes among different countries. Therefore, these issues relate to what was experienced during the Iron Curtain’s era.

A physical entity was also developed during the Iron Curtain period, whereby border defenses were introduced. Some countries, such as West and East Germany, built a wall that separated the two regions (Viol et al. 2018).⁷ The Berlin Wall is one of the borders that was designed due to the Iron Curtain. Eastern and Western European countries also used double fences to create boundaries. Many people were also forced to relocate since villages that were close to the borders were destroyed. For instance, many Erlebacch village occupants were mandated to move by the East Germany authorities since they were close to the wall (Eckert, 2019).⁸ Their houses were demolished to ensure no obstacles limited a clear view on the border.

Similar issues regarding building physical borders have been experienced in the modern world due to different aspects. One of the most recognized and debated issues involves the building of the southern border wall. The US claimed that the increased cases of drug traffickers and illegal immigrants from Mexico have led to more violence. Therefore, the wall was designed to limit the easy entry of convicts into the country. Like the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall, many people opposed the Southern border construction, claiming that it would alter the US and Mexico relationship. On the other hand, some individuals supported the strategy, arguing that it would heighten both countries’ security.

The Israeli West Bank barrier is another issue that can be compared to the Iron Curtain. The wall was constructed to separate Israel from Palestine and led to many controversial debates. For instance, Israel stated that the blockade was essential for its citizens’ security since many people have lost their lives due to border conflicts. Terrorism has also been experienced in the two countries, whereby Israel designed the wall to curbs acts of terror. Palestine defended itself by asserting that the wall was a form of racial segregation and was not the best solution to the region’s unending disputes. Challenges were also experienced by many people living in the area since they were forced to move to other places. For instance, farmers were had to leave their land since transportation of goods became more difficult. Other issues included the separation of families and children being transferred to other institutions due to conflicts and movement issues. Therefore, these issues can be analyzed and matched with what was experienced during the Iron Curtain.

Political issues are another significant aspect that was experienced during the Iron Curtain period. Many parties were focusing on ways of attaining power and ruling others. Additionally, countries engaged in disputes since no state wanted to be under the ruling of the other. Thus, individuals such as Stalin and Churchill had disagreements involving the Iron Curtain (Elena Kochetk, 2020).⁹ In most cases, people politicize issues that affect disputes between countries. The case was also experienced in many European countries, whereby legislation increased oppression among some countries. For instance, the People’s Republic of Romania and the Hungarian People’s Republic were converted to satellite states by the Soviets. A military dictatorship is another issue that was steered by politics and was exercised in Greece. The ruling had an impact on Greece since it faced significant challenges such as an economic crisis. The issue of communists and non-communists was a factor that led to the Iron Curtain. However, politics have been mainly involved when focusing on government structures. For instance, the Soviet Union claimed that the West campaigned against its plans to secure its citizens.

The Cold War was another aspect involved in the communist and non-communist states and was steered by politics and power. The Soviet Union and the United States engaged in the Cold War since both nations focused on superiority. The two superpowers ensured that they expanded their territories, leading to the Cold War. Politics also increased tension in the world since leaders gave speeches that increased confrontation between the nations. Therefore, these various historical events and aspects reveal that the Iron Curtain was a significant issue and critically impacted different countries.

Conclusion

The Iron Curtain had affected various sectors in different countries. Many countries experienced low economic growth due to limited trades and business performance. For instance, nations such as Greece and Hungary experienced financial challenges during the era. Stalin and Churchill are some of the key figures that influenced the Iron Curtain. For example, the Iron Speech had a significant effect on the Iron Curtain, which increased the matter’s debate. Stalin’s response was another aspect that can be analyzed when focusing on the Iron Curtain since he led the Soviets during the Iron Curtain era. Physical barriers were also developed, such as the Berlin Wall during that period. These walls led to increased challenges as people were forced to relocate, leaving their lands and houses. Immigration is another aspect analyzed since countries such as the Soviet Union ensured that citizens from non-communist countries did not move into the country.

The different aspects that have been analyzed can also be compared with some of the issues experienced in the modern world. Many people have experienced challenges due to conflicts between countries. Economic crises have also been experienced in some nations that have encountered disputes. For instance, terrorism in Syria has primarily impacted the country, whereby businesses have been affected and properties destroyed, leading to limited development. The Southern border wall is another aspect that can be analyzed when focusing on the Iron Curtain. Both barriers involved separating nations to prevent illegal movement of people and to heighten security in the countries. Therefore, these aspects reveal that the Iron Curtain can be analyzed to determine its various elements and how it can be linked to different contemporary world topics.

Sources Used

The sources used have been of great significance in this research since they have provided adequate information about the topic. Many historians have researched the Iron Curtain to determine some of its factors, such as its impacts and causes. Therefore, utilizing the data provided has made this report successful. Moreover, using different sources is vital since it helps an individual acquire more information and analyze the sources’ differences and similarities. In this case, the references have been evaluated to determine their strengths and weaknesses. One of the advantages is that they are peer-reviewed and are credible. Therefore, the information is valid and can be used by other researchers. Furthermore, the sources’ credibility shows that the results of this survey can be used by other people when addressing the same topic. Another strength of the sources is they have cited other reports, which is essential in surveys. Although the materials have various advantages, one can focus on the weakness. The major problem with the sources is that some do not provide detailed information about the topic. Consequently, an investigator is forced to read different researches to ensure that detailed information is acquired.

Own Observations, Opinions, Findings, and Analysis

Based on the research information, one can learn that the Iron Curtain led to various communities’ challenges. Tension is one of the issues that people experienced, and many sectors were affected. I have also learned that disputes among countries can impact the economic development of a nation. Another aspect that I have observed is the impact of a leader’s speech. In this case, the iron Speech had a significant influence during the Iron Curtain, whereby people learned about the disputes, and increased pressure was experienced.

People can have different opinions after analyzing the iron curtain. The Iron Curtain was not the best solution since it led to high challenges in societies. The paramount resolution for disputes is dialogue, as it helps parties settle their issue without harming others. Thus, the communist and non-communist groups should have ensured that a better way to solve the matter was developed. Leaders would have debated the topic and developed a plan to end the disputes in a friendly manner.

The research findings are that the Iron Curtain was a strategy by the Soviet Union to limit its engagement with non-communist countries. The wall was meant to secure their land and ensure business transactions between the Soviet Union and its rivals were curbed. Another finding is that politics were also a factor that was primarily involved during the era. Many leaders were focusing on attaining power and guaranteeing that their countries were superior to others. Thus, these aspects led to some disputes, resulting in the development of the Iron Curtain.

The analysis of this research includes focusing on the impacts of the Iron Curtain. For instance, the consequences show that many people experienced various community challenges due to disputes. The relationship between countries was also affected since the barriers separated different regions. The Cold War is also another issue that affected how nations engaged and influenced the Iron Curtain. The communist and non-communist countries avoided engaging in trading activities due to the increased tension. Thus, one can note that the Iron Curtain was developed to show that the communists did not want to engage in alliances with the non-communist.

References

Btáry, Péter, Róbert Gallé, Friederike Riesch, Christina Fischer, Carsten F. Dormann, Oliver Mußhoff, Péter Császár, Silvia Fusaro, Christoph Gayer, Anne-Kathrin Happe, Kornélia Kurucz, Dorottya Molnár, Verena Rösch, Alexander Wietzke & Teja Tscharntke “The former Iron Curtain still drives biodiversity–profit trade-offs in German agriculture.” Nature ecology & evolution 1, no. 9 (2017): 1279-1284. Web.

Burohaima, Lobna A. “Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech: Translation and Commentary.” PhD diss. University, 2016.

Eckert, A. M. West Germany and the Iron Curtain: Environment, Economy, and Culture in the Borderlands. Publishing City: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Kochetkova, Elena. Nature and the Iron Curtain: Environmental Policy and Social Movements in Communist and Capitalist Countries, 1945–1990. Edited by Astrid Mignon Kirchhof and JR McNeill. Publishing City: Publisher, 2020.

Larres, Klaus. “Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech in Context: The Attempt to Achieve a ‘Good Understanding on All Points’ with Stalin’s Soviet Union.” The International History Review 40, no. 1 (2018): 86-107. Web.

Levering, Ralph B. “Toward Cold War thinking: editorial reactions to Churchill’s iron curtain speech in North Carolina newspapers.” Journal of Transatlantic Studies 14, no. 4 (2016): 340-349. Web.

Viol, Maren, Louise Todd, Eleni Theodoraki, and Constantia Anastasiadou. “The role of iconic-historic commemorative events in event tourism: Insights from the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall.” Tourism Management 69 (2018): 246-262. Web.

Footnotes

1. Burohaima, Lobna A. “Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech: Translation and Commentary.” PhD diss., 2016.
2. Burohaima, 1.
3. Larres, Klaus. “Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’Speech in Context: The Attempt to Achieve a ‘Good Understanding on All Points’ with Stalin’s Soviet Union.” The International History Review 40, no. 1 (2018): 86-107.
4. Larres. 89.
5. Batáry, Péter, Róbert Gallé, Friederike Riesch, Christina Fischer, Carsten F. Dormann, Oliver Mußhoff, Péter Császár Silvia Fusaro, Christoph Gayer, Anne-Kathrin Happe, Kornélia Kurucz, Dorottya Molnár, Verena Rösch, Alexander Wietzke & Teja Tscharntke “The Former Iron Curtain Still Drives Biodiversity–Profit Trade-offs in German Agriculture.” Nature Ecology & Evolution 1, no. 9 (2017): 1279-1284.
6. Levering, Ralph B. “Toward Cold War Thinking: Editorial Reactions to Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech in North Carolina Newspapers.” Journal of Transatlantic Studies 14, no. 4 (2016): 340-349.
7. Viol, Maren, Louise Todd, Eleni Theodoraki, and Constantia Anastasiadou. “The Role of Iconic-historic Commemorative Events in Event Tourism: Insights from the 20th and 25th Anniversaries of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.” Tourism Management 69 (2018): 246-262.
8. Eckert, West Germany and the Iron Curtain: Environment, Economy, and Culture in the Borderlands (Publishing City: Oxford University Press, 2019), page number
9. Elena Kochetkova, Nature and the Iron Curtain: Environmental Policy and Social Movements in Communist and Capitalist Countries, 1945–1990, ed. Astrid Mignon Kirchhof and JR McNeill. (Publishing City: Publisher, 2020) 550-552.