COMMUNISTS

Communism

            After WWII it was the Cold War and The Bomb that fed the country’s paranoia.  Most publications back then featured stories about communism and the iron curtain.  Schools would practice bomb drills and there were civil defense shelters.  There was a certain level of fear in the background of society as people went about their daily routine. 

            Germany had been divided into sectors by the allies and they were to govern Germany.  The idea was to prevent another war with the Germans.  A different type of war evolved.  The Communists of Russia had different notions on how to rule the world.  The communists spread their sphere of influence across Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.  The Soviet Empire spread communism across the land creating more fear in the states. 

            East Germany was cut off from the rest of the world by the Iron Curtain.  Berlin was in the Russian sector but it had been divided into sectors and the allies had control of a portion of Berlin.  No longer were roadways open across East Germany, the Russians had closed off land travel.  Aircraft became the mode to get in and out of Berlin.  Another dagger of fear had been driven in fabric of the Free World. 

            Fear of communism was wide spread across Europe and North America.  The fear of the Communists rivaled the fear of the Fascists.  Many did not see much difference between the two extremes of oppression.  The communists wantonly killed their opponents like the fascists did.  Under communism, quality of life fell to a miserable level. 

            Poverty in Russia had increased under communism.  People were going hungry.  There were few jobs available.  Getting out from under the communists thumb became of Paramount importance for many stuck behind the Iron Curtain.  Food was flown into East Berlin because of the Russian blockade in East Germany.  It was tense moments in the world because of the actions by Russia. 

            The war with the Axis powers was still fresh in the minds of many.  The tremendous destructive power of the nuclear bombs had rattled the bones of many people.  Here the communists were oppressing people worse then Halter had.  The stench of another war was on the horizon.