What was one consequence of the German division after World War II?

The division of Germany after World War II into East Germany and West Germany significantly escalated tensions during the Cold War. This division not only symbolized the ideological conflict between the capitalist West and the communist East but also became a focal point for the wider struggle between the United States and its allies against the Soviet Union.

The establishment of the Berlin Wall in 1961 became a powerful symbol of this division and of the Cold War itself, illustrating the stark contrast between the democratic values upheld by West Germany and the authoritarian regime in East Germany. This situation contributed to heightened hostilities, including military build-ups, proxy wars, and significant propaganda efforts on both sides.

The other options do not accurately capture the consequences of Germany's division. Increased collaboration between the two states was limited due to their contrasting political systems. Italy's entrance into the communist bloc was not directly influenced by Germany's division. Similarly, while some Eastern European countries did see movements towards democracy, those changes were not a direct result of Germany's split but rather part of a broader pattern that emerged later as communism began to falter in that region.