The Cold War lasted for several decades until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite the lack of direct military confrontation between the two superpowers, competition led to a nuclear arms race and the development of new technologies, such as the hydrogen bomb and intercontinental ballistic missiles, which increased the risk of nuclear war and sparked global tensions. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union, through establishing communist satellite states in Eastern Europe, wanted to spread socialism and expand its sphere of influence.Īlthough the United States and USSR never engaged in combat directly, the Cold War was primarily fought through proxy wars, espionage, and economic and diplomatic means. The United States, through the Marshall Plan, sought to reestablish Europe by promoting democracy and capitalism. Although these nations fought as allies, their relationship rapidly deteriorated as they disagreed on how Europe should be rebuilt and how to implement post-war order. Beginning in the aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant world powers. The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension and military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union after the end of World War II. Although these nations fought as allies, their relationship rapidly deteriorated as they disagreed on how Europe should be rebuilt and how to implement post-war order.Īuthoritarian communist Soviet Union emergedĬapitalism and communism across the globe. The global balance of economic and political power shifted during and after World War II and rapidly evolved into the Cold War.
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