Question

From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia, all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and, in many cases, increasing measure of control from Moscow

How does he describe the USSR?

Why do you think this speech is sometimes considered the “beginning” of the Cold War?

Answer 1

How does he describe the USSR?- He implies the the USSR is keeping "hostage" the various historical cities throughout Eastern Europe. Through Soviet influence and control they are being kept away from the rest of the world.

Why do you think this speech is sometimes considered the "beginning" of the Cold War?- It is probably considered the start of the Cold War because it signifies the first time a major world leader spoke out against the actions of the Soviet Bloc in comparison to the west.