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The Origins of the Iron Curtain: Significance and Factors

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet explores the factors that led to the development of the Iron Curtain after World War II, focusing on their significance and how they can be categorized.

Topics covered:

#Significance & Factors
#Explain the relative importance of different factors in the development of the Iron Curtain
#Analyse historical evidence and justify rankings of significance
#Identify and categorize the key factors that contributed to the Iron Curtain's emergence
#History
#Compare the political, social, economic, and religious significance of these factors
#Standard
#Iron Curtain
#Origins

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The Origins of the Iron Curtain: Significance and Factors

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Introduction to the Iron Curtain

Source A: Churchill's 'Sinews of Peace' Speech, 1946

'From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent.' Provenance: Speech by Winston Churchill, 1946, addressing the threat of Soviet expansion.

1.
Explain what Churchill meant by the 'iron curtain' in his speech. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
2.
Compare the political and social factors that contributed to the creation of the Iron Curtain. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
B

Categorizing Factors Behind the Iron Curtain

Source B: Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin's 1945 Speech

'We will build a secure socialist state in Eastern Europe to defend against Western aggression.' Provenance: Speech by Stalin, 1945, emphasizing security and influence.

1.
Categorize the following factors into Political, Social, Economic, or Religious: - Soviet desire for security - Western fears of Soviet expansion - Economic reconstruction differences - Religious divisions in Europe
[4 marks]
2.
Outline why economic factors were important in the development of the Iron Curtain. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
C

Ranking the Significance of Factors

Source C: Historian's View

'While political motives were central, social fears and economic differences played vital roles in cementing the division.' Provenance: Modern historian's analysis, 2000.

1.
Which factor do you think was MORE significant in creating the Iron Curtain: political motives or social fears? Justify your answer with evidence. (6 marks)
[6 marks]
2.
Compare the impact of economic differences and religious divisions on the division of Europe. Which was more significant? Explain your reasoning. (8 marks)
[8 marks]
D

Analyzing the Factors

Source D: Modern Analysis

'The division was a complex interplay of political ambitions, economic interests, and social fears, each reinforcing the other.' Provenance: Contemporary historical analysis, 2010.

1.
Analyze how political, social, and economic factors interacted to create the Iron Curtain. Use evidence to support your answer. (8 marks)
[8 marks]
2.
Justify why political factors were the most significant in the formation of the Iron Curtain. Include evidence in your answer. (8 marks)
[8 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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