The Conflict Between the Soviet Union and the Western World - Literature review Example

Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts (14, January, Introduction The ‘Iron Curtain’ speech was given by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1946 at Westminster College. The speech has great significance because it was the first time when a famous politician used the term of ‘Iron Curtain’ publicly. The term is now popularly used within the context of cold war and East-West divide. This speech was given at a time when the world was recovering from the harsh effects of World War Two. United States and Britain were both working to build their economies which were left vulnerable due to the Second World War. The speech has great historical significance because Churchill hinted for the first time between the ideological divide between the Soviet Union and the West. In this paper, the geopolitical text analyzed will be the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech of Winston Churchill. Key underlying ideas of the speech will be discussed and arguments presented in the speech will be highlighted. The structure of the speech, its significance to Cold War, and use of rhetoric will also be talked about in the paper. Background of the Speech The speech of Winston Churchill came at a time when the whole world was trying to recover from the horrors of World War Two. The speech was also given at a time when Churchill was not assuming any political office as he failed to get elected Prime Minister. Because Churchill was not holding a public office, it was much easier for him to speak freely as he knew his words won’t have any policy implications. This is essential to keep in mind when analyzing the text of the famous ‘Iron Curtain’ speech. The speech also came at a time when the world was not clearly (or officially) divided into Soviet and American blocks. This was a time when the whole world was recovering from the after effects of a bloody World War. Also Soviet Union, Britain, and United States were allies in the war against Germany (History Chanel Website, 2012). This is why it can easily be concluded that there was no active conflict between the two Super Powers of the world at the time the speech was given. Key Underlying Ideas The main idea presented in the speech by Churchill was that an ‘Iron Curtain’ or a divide exists between the two parts of Europe. According to Churchill, one block of Europe was under Communist influence while the other was under Western influence. He says, “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent” (Speech, 1946). The idea that Europe has been divided into two different blocks was the highlight of the speech. Another idea discussed was regarding the expansionist policy of Soviet and how Soviet Union will try to extend its influence. It is quite clear from Churchill’s choice of words that he suspected Soviet aggression in future, especially in Europe. Winston Churchill also highlighted the need for world peace and how United Nations can play a role in it. It is also clear from the speech that Churchill was expecting an upcoming conflict between Soviet Union and the West. He says, “I do not believe that Soviet Russia desires war. What they desire is the fruits of war and the indefinite expansion of their power and doctrines” (Speech, 1946). This clearly portrays the fear of Churchill regarding the belligerent nature of Soviet Union. Another key idea discussed was regarding the supremacy of United States. Again it is important to understand the words of Churchill were not a policy statement regarding Soviet Union. Churchill was talking freely about the future state of politics in the world and the role Britain, America, and Soviet Union will play in it. This is the reason of his clear stance and criticism of Soviet Union. Argument Put Forward in the Speech Churchill put forward many arguments in the speech to support his ‘Iron Curtain’ hypothesis. He argued that Soviet Union already has built a great amount of influence in Europe and this has made different countries to choose between Soviet Union and the West. This argument was given by referring to political situation in a post war Europe. Churchill also argued that a divided Europe would serve no good purpose for the peace efforts and it is ever more important right now to urge for a United Europe. While giving this argument Churchill gave a detailed geographical analysis of Europe and Far East. The detailed geographical references made the speech credible. Churchill served as the Minister of Defense in the War and therefore was very well aware of the political situation of the world (Chinn, 2013). This tells us that Churchill was speaking authoritatively and was considered a highly credible source of information regarding the global political affairs. This is also the reason why the arguments laid down in the speech were very strong and credible. Another evidence of the credibility to the arguments given in the speech is that Stalin himself delivered a speech in response to the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech (Bastian, 2013). Churchill also argued that in order to realize the dream of world peace international cooperation would be needed. He argued that the United States and Britain should keep its close ties in order to ensure world peace. The role of United Nations was also considered essential in the maintenance of world peace. Structure of the Speech The speech was well structured and all the major points were discussed in sequence. He first praised United States and its democratic supremacy. Then United Nations and its role in world peace were discussed. He also called for democratic reforms in countries all over the world. Then Churchill discussed the role of Soviet Union in world peace and how Europe has been divided by an ‘Iron Curtain’. The speech was both structured topic wise and chronologically (Chinn, 2013). The structure of the speech is essential because Churchill starts with general topics and praises the host country. He also discusses United Nations and its importance. The main topic however is discussed in the middle of the speech and in order to signify its importance. The most essential information in speeches is usually given in the climax of the speech and this is what was done in the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech. Cold War and Significance of the Speech The speech has great significance in the context of Cold War because this was the first time Soviet ambitions and their expansionary policy was discussed openly. The speech can be regarded as the official beginning of Cold War (Chinn, 2013) because it highlighted the East-West divide. The idea that Soviet Union will continue to extend its influence in Europe and the repercussions of such increase in influence was discussed at length in the speech. This is why the speech has great significance to Cold War. The ‘Iron Curtain’ speech for the first time made the world realize that there is an ideological divide in the world. The communist policies were criticized in the speech and were regarded as non democratic. The discussion of ideological differences in a post war world hinted over a bipolar world, and this is probably the most potent effect of the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in the context of Cold War. Churchill said, “…to enforce totalitarian systems upon the free democratic world, with consequences appalling to human imagination” (Speech, 1946). This clearly portrays the ideological divide that was discussed in the speech. Use of Rhetoric in the Speech Churchill used the famous ‘Iron Curtain’ term in his speech to inform the audience about the ideological divide of Europe. The term is used to tell the audience that a strong divide exists in post war Europe. Churchill could have only used the term ‘curtain’ but he added ‘iron’ to the term which suggests a deep divide that cannot be easily broken. In the speech Churchill also expressed his desire for world peace and how United Nations can play a role. He called for building a ‘temple of peace’ and also for the creation of an ‘international armed forces’. This shows that Churchill was worried about an impending conflict that could take place. He also was thinking at the time that Soviet Union expansionist policies were not going to stop and therefore he argued for such a force. Churchill also wanted America and Britain to make a united front against Soviet Union. This is why he called for an alliance of the ‘fraternal association of English speaking people’. Conclusion Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech made the world aware of an impending conflict between Soviet Union and the western world. He pointed out clearly that a part of Europe is under the influence of Soviet Union and an ideological divide exists in the world. He also pointed out the need for international peace and the role United Nations should play in the post war world. Winston Churchill was afraid of an impending conflict and therefore wanted to arm a United Nations Force in order to prevent such a conflict. Bibliography Bastian, P. (2013). Origins of Cold War. American History for Australasian Schools. [Web] Accessed on January 14, 2013 Chinn, W. (2013). An Iron Curtain Now Falls: Winston Churchill Alerts West of Communist Ascendancy. Northwest University. [Web] Accessed on January 14, 2013 Churchill Delivers Irons Curtain Speech. (1946). History Channel Website. [Web] Accessed on January 14, 2013 Churchill, W. (1946). The Sinews of Peace. In Mark A. Kishlansky, ed., Sources of World History. New York: Collins Read More