The term "Iron Curtain" refers to the division between which two spheres?

The term "Iron Curtain" specifically describes the ideological and physical boundary that separated communist Eastern Europe from the democratic countries in the West during the Cold War. This metaphor was popularized by Winston Churchill in a speech he delivered in 1946, where he highlighted the stark divide in political systems and governance. The countries behind the Iron Curtain, primarily under the influence of the Soviet Union, adhered to communist ideologies, while those in the West promoted democratic and capitalist values. This division became a defining feature of global politics throughout the latter half of the 20th century, symbolizing the larger conflict between the Eastern Bloc and the Western powers.

The other options do address significant divisions but do not accurately capture the essence of the term "Iron Curtain" as it specifically relates to the Cold War context.