The Yalta and Potsdam Conferences intensified the rivalry between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, laying the groundwork for the ideological and geopolitical conflicts of the Cold War. The conferences solidified the division of Europe and set the stage for the Soviet Union's expansion in Eastern Europe, leading to increased tensions between the two blocs. The agreements made at Yalta and Potsdam, such as the division of Germany and the establishment of spheres of influence, shaped the post-war world order and fueled the competition between the superpowers for global dominance.
