After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West, shaping the political landscape of Europe during the Cold War. The division occurred in 1949 when the country was split into the capitalist West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) and the communist East Germany (German Democratic Republic). This division symbolized the broader ideological struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to significant tensions and conflicts, including the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961. The separation affected not only Germany but also influenced international relations and the dynamics of the Cold War, lasting until reunification in 1990.