The Sinews of Peace known as The Iron Curtain is the speech of Winston Churchill to the United States and Great Britain in particular that laid the accent on the challenges of the Western World. The speech of the British statesman outlined the onset of the Cold War. As the matter of fact, the speech opened the eyes of people and made them realize that they were involved in the new phase of the conflict. The major purpose of the paper is to evaluate the primary objectives of the speech.
Ambitions of the Soviet Union and Russian Borders
The Grand Alliance of the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain did not succeed in lasting long. Churchill predicted the future confrontation when he spoke to Harold Macmillan in 1943 regarding the fact that the Soviet Union became dominant, and the Western world did not pay attention to the danger. The politician highlighted the ambitions of the Soviet Union concerning the expansion of the territory, “what they desire are the fruits of war and the indefinite expansion of their power and doctrines” (Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, 2014). The peculiarities of the ideology in the Soviet Union were not the only reason for the aggression. Additionally, the desire for the expansion can be traced in the actions of czars, commissars, and politicians. He made an accent that every country in Europe and the United States should coalesce and be strong, “no nation should be outcast”. Churchill aimed to stress the significance of the security and forecasted the creation of the military alliance NATO (White, 2012). His major point was to focus the attention of the Western world on the importance of the Union as he believed that people in the Soviet Union respect strength, and the worse thing is the weakness of the army (Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech, 2014). His speech made it clear that the conflict is not solved; however, it has already entered a new phase.
The Supreme Task of the Countries
British political leader advocated peace, “our supreme task and duty is to guard the homes of the common people from the horrors and miseries of another war” (Humes, 2012). His did not think that the conflict would be the correct way of the solution. The politician was sure that in the case of the war, it would be more rigorous and dramatic than any other confrontation that will consequently lead to the Stone Age and the destruction of the humankind. Nuclear power received the highest concern. Churchill stressed that the prevention of any war was the principal objectives of the powerful countries. The Soviet Union desired the expansion; however, they did not want war, and this is the fundamental aspect. The best solution, according to the point of view of Churchill, was finding a common language with Russians.
Churchill delivered his speech in the United States as the country became one of the dominant on the world arena and had an impressive influence. Moreover, the Cold War was the conflict between America and the Soviet Union.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the Churchill’s speech announced the Cold War and outlined the position of the Soviet Union and the Western World. The politician aimed to stress the significance for the United States and Europe to stand together and prevent the development of the military conflict. As the matter of fact, he was sure that a new war would lead to the destruction of the society. It should be stressed that the speech The Sinews of Peace is out of current interest even now. As the risks of the military conflict increase, the countries should unite and make everything to prevent the war; otherwise, the consequences will be adverse.
References
Humes, J. C. (2012). Churchill: The prophetic statesman. Washington, DC: Regnery History.
White, P. (2012). Our supreme task: How Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech defined the Cold War alliance. New York: Public Affairs.
Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech. (2014). Web.