Question

In his Iron Curtain speech, Winston Churchill asserts "There is nothing they (the Russians) admire so much as strength, and nothing for which they have less respect for than military weakness." If he isn't advocating a direct military confrontation with the Soviet Union, then what is he saying? (history question)

Answer 1

Not more than a year after World War II, Winston Churchill, The great wartime leader of UK delivered a speech in which he described the ominous postwar boundary between the West and Eastern Europe as “iron curtain”. The postwar boundary occurred due to the influence of Soviet Russia on Eastern Europe. In his speech, Churchill praises the newfound power, America and assess communist Soviet Russia’s threat.

Churchill was much different from other political leaders of the times and he always thought beyond the next elections. He was thinking for the next generations. So he emphasized the importance of United Nations to avoid a future war and ensure peace in the world. He always feared about Soviet Russia’s desire of fruit of war and the expansion of their power and doctrine. He highlighted the importance of settlement with Soviet Russia than watchful waiting.

Winston Churchill asserts "There is nothing they (the Russians) admire so much as strength, and nothing for which they have less respect for than military weakness."

By saying so Churchill stressed the importance of unity of western nations to become a strong opponent of Russia. By unity of western nations, the military strengths and power obviously increase. Thereby the invasion of Russia on Easter Europe can be minimized and democracy will be protected. Churchill always supported the formation of League of Nations and UN and he believed the force of right will ultimately be protected by the right of force. He had so much hope on UN so he addressed it as the “Temple of peace”.

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