The division of Europe into East and West after 1945 was one of the most significant geopolitical developments of the 20th century, marking the beginning of the Cold War era. This division was not just a physical one, with the infamous Iron Curtain symbolizing the separation, but also a profound ideological, political, and economic split. The Western part of Europe aligned itself with the United States and its capitalist, democratic values, while the Eastern part came under the influence of the Soviet Union, adopting communist ideologies and a centrally planned economy.

This separation led to vastly different trajectories for the nations on either side of the divide. Western Europe experienced rapid economic growth, political stability, and increasing integration, while Eastern Europe was marked by political repression, economic challenges, and resistance movements against Soviet control. The division lasted until the end of the Cold War, with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent reunification of Germany symbolizing the beginning of the end of the two Europes.

Overview of the Division of Europe

1.Post-War Agreements

The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945) laid the groundwork for the division of Europe, as the Allied powers agreed on the spheres of influence.

Establishment of the Eastern Bloc under Soviet influence, including countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany.

The Western Bloc, including countries like France, the United Kingdom, and West Germany, aligned with the United States and NATO.

2.Iron Curtain