Although they were allies during WWII, it was just a matter of time before the political systems of the Soviet Union and the United States would clash. Once the dust had settled, it became increasingly clear how different their goals would be for the future of Europe. The United States was determined to assist countries throughout Europe and form democratic governments through free elections. On the other hand, the Soviet Union was more concerned about defending its borders against any future attack from Western Europe. As a result, the countries along the Soviet Union’s border came under control of the Soviets and soon thereafter established communist governments.

From the Soviet point of view, these communist countries were to serve as a buffer zone (a neutral zone between two hostile nations) between the powers of the west and the Soviet Union. The western powers didn’t see it that way at all. Winston Churchill, the prime minister of Great Britain, called the buffer zone by another name—the “Iron Curtain.” In his words, Churchill famously warned against communist expansion claiming that “an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."

View the two images below. One is a map and the other is a political cartoon. Respond to the challenges that follow.

A Map of the “Iron Curtain”

Source:Iron Curtain (Correction-2), Kseferovic, Wikimedia

A Political Cartoon of the “Iron Curtain”

Source:IronCurtaincartoon, jspivey, Wikispaces

1. In the cartoon above, do you think the “iron curtain” is designed to keep people out or keep people in?
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   Check Your Answer

   "Keep people out" is the correct answer. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, wanted to create a buffer zone of communist nations in order to protect his own borders. Therefore, he wanted the west to stay out.
2. Why do you think the artist added railroad tracks to the cartoon? In other words, what message is the artist trying to communicate?
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   Check Your Answer

   The artist may be trying to convey the idea that the "iron curtain" prevents the free flow of goods, ideas, and people across the continent of Europe. Also, the "iron curtain" divides what could have been a united Europe.