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The Cold War was a prolonged ideological and military conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991, characterized by proxy wars, an arms race, and political competition. Key events included the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the formation of NATO, and significant conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, alongside domestic anti-communist sentiments. The Cold War concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union, signifying a victory for U.S. democracy and capitalism over communism.

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13 views1 page

Untitled Document

The Cold War was a prolonged ideological and military conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991, characterized by proxy wars, an arms race, and political competition. Key events included the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the formation of NATO, and significant conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, alongside domestic anti-communist sentiments. The Cold War concluded with the collapse of the Soviet Union, signifying a victory for U.S. democracy and capitalism over communism.

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unknown.33
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The Cold War and U.S.

Foreign Policy (1947–1991)

The Cold War was a long period of political, military, and ideological struggle between the
United States and the Soviet Union. After World War II, the U.S. promoted democracy and
capitalism, while the USSR aimed to spread communism. The two superpowers never fought
directly but engaged in proxy wars, an arms race, and political competition around the world.

The Cold War began with the Truman Doctrine (1947), where the U.S. pledged to support
countries resisting communism, and the Marshall Plan, which provided economic aid to rebuild
Western Europe. In 1949, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was formed as a military
alliance against Soviet threats.

The Cold War turned violent in places like Korea (1950–1953) and Vietnam (1955–1975),
where the U.S. fought to contain communism. At home, anti-communist hysteria led to the Red
Scare, loyalty tests, and the rise of McCarthyism, named after Senator Joseph McCarthy, who
accused many of being communist spies without evidence.

One of the most dangerous moments was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the USSR
placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The standoff nearly led to
nuclear war but ended peacefully through negotiation.

The Cold War also included the space race, which began with the Soviet launch of Sputnik in
1957. The U.S. responded by landing astronauts on the moon in 1969. Over time, tensions
eased through treaties and diplomacy, but the Cold War officially ended in 1991 with the
collapse of the Soviet Union, marking a U.S. victory in the ideological struggle.

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