The Iron Curtain

The Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological confliict and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of WWII until the end of the Cold War in 1991.

Western Block

• Western Europe• Austria• West Germany• Liechtenstein• Switzerland• Allied with the United

States• NATO

Eastern Block

• Eastern Europe• Under the Soviet Union• Estonia• Latvia• Lithuania• USSR• Eastern Poland • Finland• Romania• Hungary• Czechoslovak• Albania

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9VKVt4yuhI

Why is it called the Iron Curtain?

• The term symbolized efforts by the Soviet Union to block itself and its dependent and central European allies off from open contact with the west and non-communist areas.

• On the East side of the Iron Curtain were the countries that were connected to or influenced by the Soviet Union.

It was a Physical Wall….in some places.

• The Iron Curtain took the form of border defenses between the countries of Europe.

• The Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie were located in Germany.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin at 1945…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRxLH5zqs00

Border between East and West Germany

Berlin Wall Background

• 69.5 Miles through residential areas in East Berlin• Made of Concrete – 12 feet tall• 302 Guarded Watch Towers• 20 Bunkers• Made in 1961 • The Wall Completely cut off West Berlin from East Berlin• The wall blocked East Berliners from emigrating to the

West. • Between 1961-1989 The Wall Prevented all movement of the

East Berliners. • 5000 People tried to escape, 600 died trying

Berlin

What do you notice about the two sides of Berlin?

The Berlin Wall

Families Seperated

The Wall Falls 1989

• What announcement was made on THE EAST GERMAN news?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCPdLlUgvo

• What are the people doing in the background of the news reporter?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snsdDb7KDkg

East German guards 1990