These readings give a good sense of the reasons the world drifted into the Cold War after World War Two ended. 
   In a famous 1946 speech, Winston Churchill warns that the Soviet Union is gaining control over Eastern Europe, and would continue to try to expand its power. 
   In the second speech, President Harry Truman declares that the U.S. must be willing to come to the aid of countries threatened with a communist take-over.  He also spells out clearly the choice that nations must make, a choice that comes down to freedom or oppression.

Winston Churchill, Prime Minister in England during World War Two.  He served in that capacity again for a time during the 1950s.

The "Hammer and Sickle" symbol of communism.  The hammer represents industry and the sickle represents agriculture.  In the communist system, both are controlled by the government.

   Wilson Churchill warns that the Soviet Union is taking advantage of the post-war situation by forcibly gaining control over many of the nations of Eastern Europe. 
   The Soviets were using their influence to boost the power of the Communist parties in those countries, then using them to obtain total control.  In a memorable phrase, Churchill declared that "an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."
   Churchill also warns that Soviet Russia would push for a continued expansion of its power and the communist system.  He says the Soviets do not want war, but "the fruits of war."  The situation, he warns, could lead to "catastrophe" if the Western Democracies (that is, Western Europe, the United States, and other Allied countries) fail to respond.

Group Discussion, p. 7 - 38:

   President Truman argues that allowing other free nations to be taken over by communist aggression would threaten international peace and therefore the security of the U.S.  He points out that the United Nations was founded on the principle that all nations should be able to exist free from force.  If that principle cannot be upheld, no nation can feel safe and secure.
 

   Truman points out that communism is most likely to be accepted and supported by desperately poor people who have no hope for a better life.  The president says that Americans must work to keep that hope alive.  In some cases, that might mean assistance to people trying to resist an armed take-over.  In other cases it would mean financial and humanitarian help like the Marshall Plan.