Skip to content
Lecture

William Tyler
Divisive Postwar Settlement of Europe

Monday 30.03.2026

How to watch

This lecture starts on 30 March at 5:00pm (UK).

Summary

The postwar settlement of Europe saw, in Churchill’s phrase, “an iron curtain” fall across the continent, dividing liberal democratic Europe in the West from communist Europe in the East; most obviously seen in a divided Germany and a divided Berlin. At the same time as this division came about, there was a contrary move aimed at uniting the world in peace, through the establishment of the United Nations in the very year the war ended.

William Tyler

An image of William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Link to William’ s blog with recommended book lists for his Lockdown lectures.