Iron Curtain Speech Analysis

What does Churchill identify as the most dangerous post-War threat?

This speech ignited the commencement of the Cold War. Through his Iron Curtain speech, Churchill informed America of the actions and policies that Soviet communism has implanted on Europe. Churchill identifies war and tyranny to be the most dangerous post-War threat. Declaring that an “Iron Curtain” has fallen upon the European countries because of the Soviet’s policies. He argues that for security to be upheld by the people, ordinary families and breadwinners need to be protected from the looming horror of war. Restrictions on trade and other defining factors would disallow citizens to live the lives they desire. He describes “the estimated sum of human pain” that the people will reap if something is not done about the destruction of the

iron curtain that has been lain down by the Soviets (Chinn). Churchill describes how civilians are beginning to adjust to post-War life, and the fear of communism may catapult another war. He nicknames the threat as “gaunt marauders” that withhold the peace from the common people’s homes (Chinn). All the while, Asia is standing on the sidelines of the Soviet Union.
What does he propose as a course of action? What roles should the different formerly allied countries assume in confronting the threats?

Churchill’s course of action or “over-all strategic concept” aims at “keeping the peace among the common people to prevent the outbreak of yet another war” (Chinn). His plan included a three-step method for what he believes must happen to prevent war and tyranny and keep the peace. Churchill uses an array of techniques to connect with the audience. The way he delivered his speech fully equipped with his linguistic gymnastics, which allowed him to frolic inside the minds of his uninformed, American spectators. He wanted to connect with his audience to convince them to take action against the spread of communism across Europe. To further his ideas, Churchill introduces “temple of peace” by replacing the ineffective League of Nations with the United Nations (Chinn). Aimed at a new world organization, he inquired the need for the United Nations to have a standing army to fight the communists if need be. Lastly, his plan included the unification of the English-speaking people of the world (This Day In History). He reinforces the unity between the English nations with a John 17:1 bible quote, “In my father’s house are many mansions” (Chinn). Churchill wished for Britain and the United States to have a tighter bond in order to prevent the spread of communism. “If there is to be any hope in the effort for peace or any achievement reached in striving for freedom, then this sense of special relationship between both nations must be placed above all other concerns.”

Assess Churchill's analysis of the situation and explain how well, or not, he understood the forces now operating in Europe.
I believe that Churchill understood this topic well.

He addressed the world at Westminster College in Missouri, speaking on behalf of himself and not of his countries own efforts or actions (as a former British Minister of Defense). His passions about this topic drove him to address the public with his own views, rather than having a transcript written by his secretary. In his speech, he had a tendency to repeat himself, but for good reason to emphasize his views. One thing I enjoy about Churchill’s Iron Curtain is his ability to profile his ideas with his remarkable communication skills. He uses many clever techniques like personification, alliteration, and assonance. For example, “It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall rule and guide the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war” (Churchill). He had established himself as a leader in World War II by serving as the British Minister of Defense. Employing his past accomplishments and his leadership skills, he grasped the heart of the American people to not turn a blind eye to communism and to combat it whenever

possible.