Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Second World War changed the “map” of the world. The war not only caused the collapse of fascism, but also gave birth to a “bloc” on a global level.

After the Second World War, two countries were born superpower namely the United States (US) and the Soviet Union. Both claim the most credit in ending the war.

The United States is called the party that ended World War II. After Japan’s unconditional surrender on September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri, World War II was officially over. The Axis power or Axis forces formally surrendered to the Allies or Alliances.

But the Soviets considered them the most meritorious because they had succeeded in overthrowing Nazi Germany. The Red Army successfully besieged Berlin, cornering Adolf Hitler and ending his own life in a bunker shelter.

Nazi Germany officially signed the declaration of surrender on May 8, 1945. This is what makes May 8 a national holiday in Russia, until now. Victory Day (victory day) or Liberation Day (The day of liberation) is celebrated in style in the land of the red bear, with a parade of large-scale military fleets.

After World War II, the United States and the Soviets fought for influence in the world. In the name of spreading the ideology of capitalism against communism, these two countries tried to make friends and identify parties with different opinions as opponents.

The American stronghold and those who agree with it are known as the Western bloc. While the Soviets and their friends are the Eastern bloc.

The US-led Western bloc includes Canada, France, Germany (West), Greece, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Japan, South Korea and others. Meanwhile, the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc was on the side of Cuba, Germany (East), China, North Korea, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, from Poland, etc.

Washington and Moscow clash on several fronts. Economy, defense, culture, politics, etc.

This competition is not even limited to Earth, but to outer space. Yuri Gagarin (Soviet) may have been the first human to go into space, but Neil Armstrong (USA) was the first to set foot on the moon and plant the Stars and Stripes flag. alias space race space race is an illustration of the power of technology from both countries.

The rivalry between the Western and Eastern blocs is often referred to as the Cold War period. Indeed, there was no open war between the United States and the Soviets, but the smell of competition was very strong. The two expand their influence, competing to become the most powerful on planet Earth.

In the early 1990s, the Cold War ended. The Soviet Union as a state dissolved and on December 26, 1991, it split into sovereign states. One of them is Russia, often referred to as the “heir” of the Soviet Union.