What Was The Iron Curtain

The "Iron Curtain" was a metaphor that Winston Churchill used to describe the dark times that had fallen on Europe. Much of Eastern Europe had fallen to Soviet Control, from East Germany and Poland to Russia. This had to do with the Cold War because the cold war was a rivalry between the USSR and the USA, which resulted in Western Europe being a part of NATO (US Allies) and Eastern Europe was part of the Warsaw pact (USSR). The iron curtain severed the ideologies of Communism and Democracy. Because the western influence grew rapidly, the iron curtain was bound to happen. If it was not for the iron curtain happening there would not be a safety buffer between USSR and US. In addition, Germany benefited from the iron curtain, economically. Initially,
Central Europe was referred to Eastern Europe, due to the influences diffused from USSR. East of the Iron Curtain, the states had their military agreements and allies, such as the Warsaw Pact. The Iron Curtain’s appearance was basically, borders around eastern blocs, having a well-known military defense. The inner German border was marked in rural areas by double fences made of steel mesh (expanded metal) with sharp edges, while near urban areas a high concrete barrier similar to the Berlin Wall was built. The barrier was always a short distance inside East German territory to avoid any intrusion into Western territory. The actual borderline was marked by posts and signs and was overlooked by numerous watchtowers set behind the barrier. In some places, a "death strip" was constructed on the East German side of the barrier, in which unauthorized access would be met with bullets. The strip of land on the West German side of the barrier between the actual borderline and the barrier: was readily accessible but only at considerable personal risk, as it was patrolled by both East and West German border guards. Shooting incidents were not uncommon, and a total of 28 East German border guards were killed