---
title: Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20145/map-of-europe-after-world-war-ii-1945-1989/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-11-05
---

# Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20145.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20145.png)

## Image Caption

Following World [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) II (1939–1945), [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) emerged devastated and increasingly divided between rival political systems. As relations between the United States and the Soviet Union deteriorated, Western Europe generally aligned with Washington, while Soviet-backed communist governments dominated much of Central and Eastern Europe. The resulting Cold War (c. 1947–1991) created an ideological and geopolitical division known as the Iron Curtain, although neutral states and non-aligned Yugoslavia complicated this East–West divide.

Reconstruction and rivalry transformed Europe's institutions. The American-backed Marshall Plan (1948–1952) supported Western recovery, while the European Economic Community (1957) and EFTA (1960) encouraged economic integration. In the East, the Soviet-led COMECON (1949) coordinated socialist economies. Military alignments hardened through NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955). This divided European order began to unravel with the revolutions of 1989 and the fall of the Berlin [Wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/), paving the way for German reunification and the end of the Cold War.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, November 05). Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20145/map-of-europe-after-world-war-ii-1945-1989/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 05, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20145/map-of-europe-after-world-war-ii-1945-1989/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe After World War II, 1945–1989: Cold War Division, Reconstruction, and Alliances." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Nov 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20145/map-of-europe-after-world-war-ii-1945-1989/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 05 November 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.