Case Study: Analyzing Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech in World History

This case study analyzes Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, examining the Soviet Union's expansionist desires and their challenge to Western principles of national self-determination. It explores Churchill's perspective on the Soviet Union's need for secure western borders while critiquing their methods, and evaluates his belief in the United Nations as a means to counter communist influence. The analysis considers the speech's historical context, Churchill's concerns about the balance of power, and his vision for international cooperation, particularly between the United States and Britain, to prevent future conflicts and maintain peace in Europe. The document answers specific questions from the assignment brief, providing a comprehensive understanding of the speech's significance and its implications for the Cold War era.

Running Head: WORLD HISTORY 0
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WORLD HISTORY

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Q1)
According to the speech of Churchill’s, the Soviet Union was endlessly enduring to
create communism within the administration of Eastern Europe and all over the globe. This
showed that Churchill believes in relying on the United Nation due to their efficiency will be
the most possible result to combat the risk of battle.
The expansion desire of the Soviet Union was also the risk for the various portions of
Eastern Europe as they believe in the principle of political independence and equal rights
(Dubinsky, 2012).
Churchill had trust in the supremacy of the United Nation and also stated it as a
“temple of harmony” as according to him the war cannot be barred by other countries.
He defined various outcomes of the war to the people and also the steps which needed
to be taken. The Soviet Union also gained various allies for spreading communism through
complete Europe and this is also challenging the military goals of United States.
Q2)
In my opinion, Churchill is not being inconsistent in his speech as he specifically talks
about Russia and mentioned about securing the western borders (Churchill, 2014). It can be
clearly understood with his speech that the Soviet Union had the privileged to protect
themself from the aggression of Germans. According to him, the Soviet Union is one of the
greatest dominant countries in the world but he believed that they should not show their
authority by the expansion of armed forces or change the system to dictatorship. He also
communicated with the Soviet Union to stop military interventions by giving various
concrete explanations for the concerns. The economy of Europe had got a downturn and so
there was no matter of any another battle.
Q3)
Mentioning Russia, Churchill wanted to state that the Soviet Union is as much as
powerful to defeat Nazi Germany. This showed his concern towards The Soviet Union. By
stating this, he was not addressing military battle with the Soviet Union, and just want to state
that this supremacy should be taken as for the help of the public of Europe whose entire
things are vanished in the battle (Beauchamp, 2014). He also wanted to explain that the
power should not be used to give rise to another battle and that’s why he is finding a way
through resolution.
Q4)
Churchill had believed in the United Nation for its power, military and a democratic
government. He also believed that the communist power of the Soviet Union can be
challenged by the United Nation. The military force of America can also be given new

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direction for ending the communism extension in Europe. He believed that the power of
communist can be very dangerous and exploit the life of the European people (Aall, 2016).
For opposing the communalism, United Nation had the supremacy as compare to other
nations and this shows their influence. In addition, the objective of Churchill was to gather
America with the United Nation so as to prevent world wars. He also knows that the peace
will lie in the collaboration of Britain with the United States.

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References
Aall, P. (2016). Byways to peace building. Peace building, 4(1), 1-5.
Beauchamp, Z. (2014). Everything you need to know about the military alliance that's
freaking out Russia. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2014/4/2/5570654/9-
questions-about-nato-you-were-too-embarrassed-to-ask
Churchill, W. S. (2014). The Sinews of Peace. New York: RosettaBooks.
Dubinsky, V. (2012). How Communism Took Over Eastern Europe After World War II.
Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/10/how-
communism-took-over-eastern-europe-after-world-war-ii/263938/