The "Western Bloc" refers to a group of countries aligned with the United States and its allies during the Cold War. This bloc primarily included nations in Western Europe, such as France, West Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as North America, particularly the United States and Canada. These countries shared similar political ideologies, mainly capitalism and democracy, and formed military alliances like NATO to counter the influence of the Eastern Bloc. The Western Bloc emerged after World War II, as tensions grew between the capitalist West and the communist East, led by the Soviet Union. The division was marked by events such as the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Western Bloc played a significant role in shaping global politics, economics, and military strategies during the latter half of the 20th century.