The Cold War significantly influenced politics in Europe after World War II, leading to heightened tension and division between Eastern and Western blocs. The Iron Curtain metaphorically separated Western democratic nations, led by the United States, and Eastern communist states, dominated by the Soviet Union. This division resulted in the formation of military alliances, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and established geopolitical struggles, including the race for nuclear arms. Additionally, the ideological strife fostered regions of conflict, espionage, and propaganda. The eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of this polarized era, ushering in considerable political changes across Europe.