Cold War Books

About Cold War

The Cold War (circa 1947–1991) was a prolonged period of geopolitical tension and ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies. Unlike traditional wars, the Cold War was marked by indirect conflicts, proxy wars, nuclear arms races, espionage, and psychological warfare rather than direct military confrontation. The conflict emerged in the aftermath of World War II as the U.S. promoted capitalist democracy while the USSR sought to expand communism. Key events included the Berlin Blockade, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, space race, and Soviet-Afghan War. Europe was divided by the Iron Curtain, and Germany was split into East and West. The doctrine of mutually assured destruction (MAD) kept nuclear-armed superpowers from escalating to full-scale war, though the threat loomed large. The Cold War also extended into space, with the U.S. and USSR competing for technological supremacy. The eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War. It left behind a transformed global order, the unipolar dominance of the United States, and lasting legacies in international relations, military alliances like NATO, and post-Cold War conflicts. The Cold War shaped nearly every aspect of the second half of the 20th century and continues to influence global politics today.