Western and eastern europe

Definition

A geographic and political division of Europe that became especially significant during the Cold War, when Western Europe aligned with NATO and capitalist democracies while Eastern Europe fell under Soviet-dominated communist governments. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, many Eastern European nations transitioned to democracy and market economies.

Examples

  • The Iron Curtain divided Western democracies from Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc nations
  • Germany was split into West Germany (democratic) and East Germany (communist) from 1949 to 1990
  • Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary joined both NATO and the European Union after the Cold War
Key Fact

The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, symbolizing the end of Europe's Cold War division.

Related Terms

Cold war European union Decolonization Democratic ideals

Study This Concept

Practice Western and Eastern Europe with free review games in these units:

World Geography Unit 4: Europe