The “iron curtain,” a term coined by Winston Churchill to refer to the Soviet grip on Eastern and central Europe, divided the continent for nearly fifty years. Communist governments controlled the countries along the Soviet Union’s western border, except for Finland, which remained neutral.

READING THE MAP Is the division of Europe between NATO, Communist, and neutral countries about equal? Why would the location of Berlin pose a problem for the Western Allies?

CONNECTIONS When was NATO founded, and what was its purpose? How did the postwar division of Europe compare with the wartime alliances?