World History • Cold War • Lesson 3
Dividing Europe: Berlin and the Iron Curtain
After World War II, Europe did not unite—it split. This lesson explains how Germany and Berlin became divided and why that division defined the early Cold War.
How Europe Became Divided
As you watch, focus on:
- Why Germany was divided after World War II
- Why Berlin became a major point of tension
- What the Iron Curtain represents
Quick Response
Why would both the United States and the Soviet Union care so much about controlling Berlin, even though it was deep inside Soviet territory?