Who coined the term 'Iron Curtain' in a famous 1946 speech?

The term 'Iron Curtain' was famously coined by Winston Churchill in a pivotal speech delivered on March 5, 1946. This address, often titled "The Sinews of Peace," took place at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, with U.S. President Harry S. Truman in attendance. Churchill, no longer the British Prime Minister but still a highly influential figure, used the phrase to dramatically illustrate the growing division between Western democracies and the Soviet-dominated Eastern European bloc.

In his speech, Churchill declared, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent." This powerful metaphor highlighted his concern over the Soviet Union's increasing control and influence over the countries of Central and Eastern Europe following World War II. The "Iron Curtain" symbolized not just a physical barrier, but also an ideological and political divide that cut off communication, trade, and cultural exchange between the two spheres.

The speech is widely regarded as a significant moment marking the unofficial beginning of the Cold War. Churchill's stark warning brought global attention to the emerging geopolitical landscape and the perceived threat of Soviet expansion. It underscored the need for a united front among Western nations, particularly a "special relationship" between the United States and Great Britain, to counter Soviet ambitions and preserve peace and stability in the post (Review)-war world.