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In pictures

The Cold War

After the Second World War the two groups of victors, the Western Allies and the USSR, became rivals. As they competed for influence, the post-war peace took on a decidedly frosty, unfriendly atmosphere. Our records show how the Cold War affected the lives of those experiencing it.

Winston Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’ speech

A typed version of Winston Churchill's iron curtain speech across two pages.
Date
1946
Catalogue reference
FO 371/51624
A typed version of Winston Churchill's iron curtain speech across two pages.

Photograph of USSR atom bomb spy Klaus Fuchs

Portrait photo of Klaus Fuchs, wearing glasses and a suit and tie.
Date
1951–1952
Catalogue reference
KV 2/1245
Portrait photo of Klaus Fuchs, wearing glasses and a suit and tie.

Pamphlet advising on protection against a nuclear attack

A pamphlet on 'the first days' after a nuclear attack as an image of suburban houses bricked up.
Date
1963–1967
Catalogue reference
HO 338/57
A pamphlet on 'the first days' after a nuclear attack as an image of suburban houses bricked up.

BBC TV programmes about the effects of nuclear war

A typed sheet of paper detailing information around the BBC programme Threads on a nuclear attack.
Date
1 January 1983 and 31 December 1984
Catalogue reference
HO 322/1134
A typed sheet of paper detailing information around the BBC programme Threads on a nuclear attack.

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