Questions: Which of the following was the eventual result of the Allied attempts to contain Soviet expansion? Communist countries helped the Soviets expand into Western Europe. Western and Communist countries formed rival military alliances. Western countries helped to gain independence for Communist countries. Western and Communist countries agreed to unite West and East Germany.

The answer is: Western and Communist countries formed rival military alliances.

This option is incorrect. The Soviet Union did not expand into Western Europe. Instead, the Western Allies implemented policies to prevent Soviet expansion, such as the Marshall Plan and the formation of NATO.

This option is correct. The Cold War era saw the formation of rival military alliances: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) by Western countries and the Warsaw Pact by Communist countries led by the Soviet Union. These alliances were a direct result of the geopolitical tensions and efforts to contain Soviet influence.

This option is incorrect. During the Cold War, Western countries did not help Communist countries gain independence. Instead, they often supported anti-Communist regimes and movements to counter Soviet influence.

This option is incorrect. West and East Germany remained divided throughout most of the Cold War. They were only united after the Cold War ended, in 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.