The Cold War was a long period of tension and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, from 1945 to 1991. It wasn’t a direct war with fighting between the two, but instead involved political pressure, threats, spying, and supporting opposite sides in global conflicts. It changed how the world worked by dividing countries, creating new alliances, and shaping global politics for nearly 50 years.
The Cold War split the world into two main blocs:
Countries often had to choose sides, and some formed the Non-Aligned Movement.
Examples:
To protect themselves, both sides formed military groups:
The Cold War led to a dangerous arms race:
This threat led to peace talks like SALT and START to reduce nuclear weapons.
Both countries also competed in science and space:
This increased investment in science and education worldwide.
Rather than fight directly, the USA and USSR supported opposite sides in proxy wars:
These conflicts spread Cold War tensions across the globe.
The Cold War ended in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. This brought major changes:
| Effect | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| World Division | Countries aligned with either the USA or USSR | Germany, Korea |
| Military Alliances | Security groupings formed for protection | NATO, Warsaw Pact |
| Arms and Space Race | Competition in nuclear and scientific power | SALT, Apollo 11, Sputnik |
| Proxy Wars | Indirect conflicts supported by Cold War powers | Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan |
| UN Involvement | Blocked decisions, peacekeeping growth | Security Council vetoes |
| End of Cold War | Collapse of USSR and new world cooperation | Germany reunited, new democracies |
The Cold War deeply shaped world politics by dividing nations, encouraging arms races, and creating global tensions. Though it never became a direct war between superpowers, it influenced many regional conflicts and international decisions. Its end marked the start of a new, more cooperative global era.
