The Iron Curtain and Cold War

Expanding Soviet Influence

• Stalin supported communist takeovers in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, and Yugoslavia.
• Soviet Police were used to instill fear and control.

Churchill's Warning

• Churchill cautioned about the USSR's plan for Eastern Europe.
• He stated that "…an iron curtain has descended across the continent."

The Iron Curtain Divides Europe

• Stalin established Soviet-controlled governments in Eastern Europe.
• The Soviet Union began dominating countries.

Stalin's Response

• Stalin defended communist takeovers to ensure his country's security with loyal governments nearby.

How the Iron Curtain Isolated Eastern Europe

• Physical and ideological barrier.
• Physical barrier: fences to stop movement.
• Ideological barrier: blocked foreign ideas.

Truman Doctrine

• Aimed to stop communism from spreading, limiting it to existing countries.
• The U.S. combatted the Soviets with aid and force if necessary.

Creation of the NSC & CIA

• National Security Act created the National Security Council (NSC) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
• NSC advises the president; CIA collects intelligence.

US Military Size

• US Department of Defense and the US Department of State dramatically increased during the Cold War.

Positive Outcomes from the Cold War

• NDEA increased funding for universities.
• Increased enrollment in science, math, and foreign languages.
• Creation of NASA led to innovations.