Introduction

The Cold War (1946-1991) was a defining period in the 20th century, characterized by intense geopolitical rivalry, ideological confrontation, and the constant threat of global conflict. Emerging in the aftermath of World War II, this battle pitted the democratic and capitalist United States against the communist Soviet Union. These nations were considered the world’s two superpowers because of their nuclear advancements, and their conflict to determine global supremacy resulted in significant tension and uncertainty around the world. The term “Cold War” reflects the absence of direct armed conflict between these nuclear-armed giants, but it does not diminish the intensity of their competition, which played out on multiple fronts.