Iron Curtain summary

Post-WWII Eastern Europe

In Iron Curtain, Anne Applebaum provides a detailed account of the Soviet Union's influence on Eastern Europe after World War II. She begins by describing the region's state of devastation and the Soviet Union's efforts to rebuild it. The author explains how the Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin, sought to create a buffer zone of friendly states to protect itself from future invasions.

Applebaum delves into the methods used by the Soviet Union to establish control over Eastern Europe. She discusses the installation of puppet governments, the suppression of opposition, and the imposition of a new political and economic system. The author also highlights the role of local communist parties and their collaboration with the Soviet Union in this process.

Life Under Communism

The book then shifts its focus to the early years of communism in Eastern Europe. Applebaum provides a vivid portrayal of life under the new regime, detailing the nationalization of industries, collectivization of agriculture, and the establishment of a repressive security apparatus. She also explores the impact of these changes on the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

Applebaum emphasizes the pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion that characterized the early years of communism. She describes the purges, show trials, and mass arrests that were used to eliminate perceived enemies of the state. The author also discusses the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion and fostering loyalty to the regime.

Resistance and Repression

In the middle section of Iron Curtain, Applebaum examines the various forms of resistance that emerged in response to communist rule. She discusses the role of the Catholic Church in Poland and Hungary, the student protests in Czechoslovakia, and the armed resistance movements in countries like Ukraine and the Baltic states.

However, Applebaum also highlights the brutal measures employed by the communist regimes to suppress dissent. She details the use of secret police, forced labor camps, and censorship to maintain control. The author argues that, despite these efforts, resistance to communism remained a persistent force throughout the region.

Thaw and Thawing

The latter part of the book covers the period of de-Stalinization and the subsequent thaw in Eastern Europe. Applebaum discusses the impact of Stalin's death and the rise of Nikita Khrushchev on the region. She describes the relaxation of some of the harshest policies, the release of political prisoners, and the emergence of a more open cultural atmosphere.

However, Applebaum also highlights the limits of this thaw, emphasizing that the fundamental structures of communist rule remained intact. She discusses the continued dominance of the Soviet Union, the persistence of censorship and repression, and the limitations on political and economic freedom.

Conclusion and Legacy

In conclusion, Iron Curtain provides a comprehensive overview of the establishment and consolidation of communist rule in Eastern Europe. Applebaum emphasizes the role of the Soviet Union in this process, but also highlights the agency of local communist parties and the resistance of ordinary citizens.

The book ends by discussing the lasting legacy of communism in Eastern Europe. Applebaum argues that, despite the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of communist rule, the region continues to grapple with the social, economic, and psychological consequences of its communist past.