Defining the Cold War

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​The Cold War was a period of intense rivalry and tension between the United States (and its allies) and the Soviet Union (and its allies) after World War II, lasting roughly from 1945 to 1991. It was called a "cold" war because it did not involve direct fighting between the two superpowers, but instead featured political, economic, military, and ideological conflict, including the arms race, space race, and a series of proxy wars. The Cold War shaped international relations for nearly half a century.