What is the eastern and western bloc?

The Eastern Bloc refers to the group of socialist states under the influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily comprising countries in Eastern Europe such as Poland, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. In contrast, the Western Bloc consisted of capitalist nations led by the United States and its NATO allies, including countries like West Germany, France, and the UK. This ideological division shaped global politics from the late 1940s until the early 1990s, emphasizing the rivalry between communism and capitalism. The collapse of the Soviet Union effectively dissolved the Eastern Bloc, leading to significant political changes in the region.