mar 5, 1946 - Iron Curtain Speech
Description:
In one of the most famous formal speeches during the Cold War period, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill expresses complete disapproval about the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe. Churchill’s speech is considered one of the opening announcements of the beginning of the Cold War. Churchill, who had been defeated for re-election as prime minister in 1945, was invited to Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri where he gave this speech. President Harry S. Truman joined Churchill on the platform and listened eagerly to his speech. It soon became clear that a primary purpose of his talk was to argue for an even closer “special relationship” between the United States and Great Britain—the great powers of the “English-speaking world”—in organizing and policing the postwar world. In particular, he warned against the expanding territory policies of the Soviet Union. Truman and many other U.S. officials warmly received the speech. Already they had decided that the Soviet Union was bent on expansion and only a tough stance would discourage the Russians.
Added to timeline:
Cold War Events
Date:
Geo:
