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The Cold War was a period of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and their respective allies, that lasted from the late 1940s until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. During this time, the two superpowers engaged in a global competition for influence, fueled by mutual suspicion and a nuclear arms race. The Cold War had a significant impact on international relations and shaped the course of global history.

The origins of the Cold War can be traced back to the aftermath of World War II when the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant global powers. The two countries had different ideologies – the United States was a capitalist democracy, while the Soviet Union was a communist state – and their respective spheres of influence rapidly expanded during the postwar period. As the two sides sought to spread their respective systems, tensions between them grew.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a variety of activities to assert their influence and gain an advantage over the other. This included military buildups, proxy wars, economic competition, and propaganda campaigns. The two sides also engaged in diplomatic efforts to try to reduce tensions, such as arms control negotiations. Despite these efforts, the threat of nuclear war loomed over the world for much of the Cold War.

The Cold War eventually came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but its legacy continues to shape international relations and global politics today.