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 evidence does Churchill give of Soviet or communist aggression?
WGO
ReplyDelete1. Why is Churchill so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2?
After World War II Churchill was concerned about the Soviet union. He was concerned that the SOviet Union would spread communistic beliefs throughout Europe. They set up the "Iron Curtain". This led Churchill to be concerned about the Soviet Union.
2. What evidence does Churchill give of Soviet or communist aggression?
Churchill needed evidence that the Soviet Union was spreading communism. The Soviet the Eastern European Countries which include the Balkan, Poland, and other pocket countries in Eastern Europe after WWII. The Allied Forces weren't happy how Russia was putting Communist influence in them especially Churchill. This gave Churchill evidence that the the Soviet was spreading communistic ideas.
A.Q.
ReplyDelete1) Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2, because he is scared that the Soviet Union will spread their communist ideas to the European countries and they will continue dominating territory. Also, Churchill wants the liberated European countries to become a democracy rather than communism, because if they become if they are taken over by communism, then it could be a threat to the other democratic nations. Lastly, Churchill thinks that the rise of Soviet is not what they fought for to build up. Nor is it one which contains the essentials of permanent peace.
2) Some evidence that Churchill give of the Soviet or communist aggression is some European countries such as Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia are dominated by the Soviets. The influences of the Soviets are very high, since the countries economies’ are not doing so well after the war. The Communist parties have been raised to be pre-eminence and are seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control. For example, Czechoslovakia is dominated by the Soviets.
1. Churchill is concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 for several reasons. One reason is the Soviet's attempt to expand the ideas of Communism all across Europe. The Soviets were very ambitious in their attempt to drive out the German people from the territories that they occupy. The Soviets also threatened the preservation of democratic principles in several highly impacted areas during the war. Churchill was concerned about the Soviets because many countries in Europe had a high chance turning towards communism because of the war.
ReplyDelete2. Churchill gives various evidence of Soviet (Communist) aggression during World War 2. The Soviets are not allowing elections like they promised in most of their conquered territories. The Russians are encouraging the Polish government to expulse the Germans on such a major scale that it was never even imagined before. The Russians are directly controlling their very own "sphere of influence" with heavy influence from Moscow. The Soviets are not keeping their own end of the agreement from the Yalta Conference.
-W.C.
Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet Union after WWII because no one knows what the Soviet Union will be planning in the future. He is concerned they may have an attack up their sleeve. This could put the safety of many countries at stake. Also, if the Soviet Union starts to spread communism, this will affect the British and Americans because the Soviet Union will gain more power. Ultimately, Churchill is afraid that communism is going to spread and pose as a bigger problem in the future.
ReplyDeleteChurchill gives evidence of communism aggression by stating how the Russian owned Polish government is forcibly kicking out millions of German citizens. Also, the Russians are trying to remove all types of German aggression. Consequently, they are building somewhat of a Communist party in the part of Germany they own. Therefore, this shows soviet aggression.
C.H
1. Churchill is concerned about the soviet union by rising up. What i mean is that they can rise up with power. That they can start a massive arms race with the US and England. which can lead a start to another war which is the last thing the US and England want to deal with.
ReplyDelete2. An example of communist agression is when churchill says an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Which means that in between western and eastern there is an imaginary border. But there is a real border which is the Berlin wall. so that example was used by churchill for communist aggression.
GAR
H.J
ReplyDelete1. Churchill is so concerned about the Soviets because Communism was rising in their country, and was proved to be devastating. He knew that they will do the same thing that the Germans did, and expand their territory into Poland and later on into the rest of the Europe. Churchill was scared and said that an iron curtain is laid between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, to protect each other. They also knew about the Russian Revolution so they were concerned on their next action.
2. The evidence that Churchill gave was that Communism was being forced on people and they were all afraid of Stalin, which might lead up to another World War which no one wanted. The Communist parties, which were very small in all these Eastern States of Europe, have been raised to power far beyond their numbers and were seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control. After the communist winning in Poland Churchill got scared of the Communist aggression
1) Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because in his speech, he says no one knows the limits the soviets have to expand their Communist international organization. "A shadow has fallen upon the scenes so lately lighted by the Allied victory.", says Churchill. With this quote, he intends to tell everyone that the “shadow” that has fallen upon them is a metaphor showing the mystery of Russia's real intentions. Everyone is so focused on the Allies victory that they don’t pay attention to the Soviet Union.
ReplyDelete2) Winston shows Soviet aggression in his speech when he says " 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." With this quote, Churchill claims that this is not the liberty Europe we fought to build up; nor is it one which contains the essentials of permanent peace. Twice, the U.S. has got involved in 2 wars and sacrificed millions of men to fight for a good cause, and we don't want this to happen again. He fears that communism is beginning to grow because the small communist parties have been gained pre-eminence and power far beyond their numbers and are seeking everywhere to obtain totalitarian control.
A.J
1. Churchill was concerned about Soviet Union after World War 2 because of the possibility of spreading Communism and totalitarianism. Soviet Union had an opportunity to spread communism in the nations weakened by the war, countries that are mainly in Central and Eastern Europe. Churchill is also concerned because this can affect American and British territory in Europe. For example, Soviet Union was working on building up a communist party in Eastern Germany and that can affect the West part of Germany which is occupied by the U.S. and British.
ReplyDelete2. One piece of evidence Churchill gives of Soviet or communist aggression is the rise of communist parties in Eastern Europe. Churchill states that the small Communist parties in Eastern Europe that were small have grown a large amount. In addition, Churchill says that Turkey and Persia made accusations claiming that they are going to be exerted by the Moscow government. Also he states that the communist party in Eastern Germany is increasing.
-J.M.
1. After World War 2, most of Europe was destroyed. History has shown that in times of desperation, communistic and totalitarian countries have arisen. Therefore, knowing that the Soviet Union was a communist powerhouse, Churchill feared that nearby countries would turn to communism as a means of redemption. Because of this, things such as the Marshal Plan were created to suppress the spread of the incoming wave of communism.
ReplyDelete2. In his iron curtain speech, Churchill gives many examples of Soviet aggression. For instance, Turkey was disturbed by the claims being thrown at them by the Moscow Government. Additionally, Churchill also mentions how the nearby cities "...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". Lastly, he mentions how police governments were prevailing in nearly all scenarios and that there was no presence of democracy.
-K.R
Churchill was worried about Soviet Union after World War 2 because Churchill worried that Soviet Union will spread communism to Germany, which will once again ignite the fire in a turbulent Germany after World War 2. If the spread of communism was successful, there are risk for another war. Britain and the United States want peace, as well as the Europe. Therefore Churchill is concerned about Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence that Churchill give of communist aggression is communism party in Italy. The future of Italy was shambling due to its communism party movement. Also, Churchill gives example to maintain peace in World is to limit the spread of communism idea.
WH
A.K
ReplyDelete1-Churchill is so concerned about the soviet union after World War 2 because if they try to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas, new serious difficulties in the British and American zones will occur. Also it will give the defeated Germans the power of putting themselves up to auction. This chance of auction will be between soviets and western democracies. This puts Churchill into concern because it can cause them difficulty.
2- The evidence Churchill gives of Soviet or communist aggression is "If now the Soviet Government tries, by separate action, to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas..". This shows his aggression towards them. He doesn't want the soviet government to build a pro-communist government in Germany. This is the evidence he gives to show what exactly he wants.
The Start of the Cold War
ReplyDeleteChurchill displayed great concern about the Soviet Union after World War II due to the fact that although they were our allies, they had different beliefs and political systems they ourselves. Furthermore, while Soviet leader ;Stalin was discussing his ideas for the future of Poland during the Yalta Conference, he expressed that the Polish government/ representation should not be freely ruled but under the influence of communism as the communist leader stood and fought with its people in times of great need. Furthermore, towards the end of the conference Churchill states of Harry S. Truman that “Stalin should not be trusted.”
Evidence that Churchill gives supports Soviet aggression in various ways. One of the most notable examples is what was previously mentioned in the Yalta conference. Furthermore, Stalin’s theory of an iron curtain which will isolate the eastern part of Poland from the west to prevent the spread of democracy to enter communist territory in attempts to maintain power and at the same time spread the ideas of communism. The text displayed this, “In front of the iron curtain, which lies across Europe are other causes for anxiety. These are somber facts for anyone to have recited on the morrow of a victory gained by so much splendid comradeship in arms and in cause of freedom and democracy. “
WGA
1. Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because nobody knows what Soviet Russia and its Communist international organization intends to do in the immediate future. He is also concerned of their limits, if any, to their expansive and proselytizing tendencies. In addition, he is concerned about a iron curtain that has descended across the continent. Behind the line lie what Churchill calls Soviet sphere which he believes control a lot of power. Churchill thinks that the safety of the world requires a new unity in Europe.
ReplyDelete2. Churchill gave evidence of communist aggression. He said that if the Soviet government were to build up a pro-Communist Germany in their areas, it will cause difficulties in the British and American zones, and give the defeated Germans the power of putting themselves up the auction between the Soviets and the Western Democracies. He also says how in the British Commonwealth and in the United States, communist parties or fifth columns constitute a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization.
D.C.
1.Churchill is concerned about the Soviet Union after World War 2 because they are unsure of what they will do. He is unsure about their potential and future actions. He is mainly concerned about the fact that they will try to spread their communist ideology to other countries. He has no problem with Russia existing as a communistic nation but he doesn’t want it to spread.
ReplyDelete2.Churchill show the expansion of the Soviet/ communist aggression by talking about the iron curtain. He explains how there were many communist states before but now it is on the verge of expanding, which can raise awareness. He says that on the eastern part of Europe there are many communist states and they can pressure other states to become communist. Take Athens for example, it is a lone democratic state which can be pressured. Another area that is being pressured which is Poland, with its Russian-dominated government.
M.R.
1. Churchill was so concerned about the Soviet Union after WWII because he is scared that the Soviets may get revenge, or change the way their actions are held. Them being a communist community, you really can't tell or know for sure what events will happen next. For example, we have almost no clue as to what is going on in North Korea right now. It is so isolated and barricaded that even at night, the North Korea is dark whilst South Korea is bright and full of lights. Also, he could be scared to find out what they are planning to do because n attempt is being made by the Russians in Berlin to build up a communist party in their zone.
ReplyDelete2. Some evidence that Churchill gives of Soviet or communist aggression is that 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. Being a comminust state in many perspectives is not a good thing mainly because of all the potential threats that could be planned without any other nations knowing. If a communist state was to cause something, it could easily spring into something massive and dangerous for multiple nations to come.
- D.L.
Churchill was concerned about the Soviet Union because he saw that after WWll, Europe was vulnerable or weak. Almost every country was in poverty and in chaos. People were desperate for food 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 and freedom. And with Soviets in control, Europe would become communist.
ReplyDeleteThe evidence that Churchill give of Soviet or communist aggression by saying that 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.
-AN
1. Churchill is so concerned about the Soviet's after ww2 because of the fact that now there is an iron curtain. Behind the curtain is the soviet sphere where no one really knows whats going on.Except we all know that the soviets are preparing for the arms race against the United States. Behind the curtain, they're building nuclear weapons and advancing their military which is nothing close to being safe. This is why Churchill is so concerned because whats behind the iron curtain is a mystery.
ReplyDelete2. "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." This shows Churchill's evidence of communist aggression because of the fact that he says that the United States got pulled into so many wars and now with the spread of communism arising, war can come to any nation at any time.GM