Unit 11.1 – Global Crossroads: Power, Independence, and Ideology in the 20th Century
The Iron Curtain symbolized the sharp division between the capitalist West, led by the United States and its allies, and the communist East, dominated by the Soviet Union. This ideological and physical barrier shaped global politics, economics, and societies for nearly half a century. The Cold War’s global footprint extended far beyond Europe, influencing conflicts, alliances, and political systems worldwide.














