The critical ideology that shaped global politics during the Cold War was anti-communism, stemming from ideological conflicts and the aftermath of World War II. The division between the capitalist West, led by the United States, and the communist East, led by the Soviet Union, resulted in heightened military tensions and a series of proxy wars across the globe. This ideological rivalry fostered policies such as containment and the arms race, profoundly affecting international relations. The Cold War also influenced domestic policies and alliances, shaping the political landscape for decades beyond the conflict's conclusion.