What was the cold war who was it between and what happened?

Answer 1

The term "cold war" implied the opposite of a "hot war" or "shooting war" and is applied to the period of global political and military competition after World War II between the US and the Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). It included strategic moves by each side and their allies, notably NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries and other Soviet client states. The period began in 1945 and ended with the breakup of the USSR in 1991, although it included more cooperation and less tension during the later years. Both the US and Russia maintain stockpiles of nuclear bombs and missiles built for "defensive" (deterrent) purposes during the Cold War.

After World War II, the two countries emerged as the major powers (superpowers) of the world, each with its postwar sphere of influence. These two never fought directly, but engaged in several so-called proxy wars (Korea, Vietnam). The countries' military, strategic, economic, technological, and even moral relations and decisions were made with the opponent in mind. Each created its own group of friendly nations, and sought to lure countries to their side by aid. Beginning with Harry Truman, the US sought to "contain" communism, which represented potential allies for the Soviets (or, after 1948, for the Chinese).

The most salient feature of the Cold War was a nuclear standoff, in which each side developed advanced weaponry, leading to the policy of MAD or Mutual Assured Destruction. Neither side could risk attacking the other because of the potential for obliteration of both sides by huge arsenals of thermonuclear bombs and missiles. A related aspect was espionage, beginning with the theft of atomic secrets by spies for the USSR. The CIA and KGB were known to use every conceivable means to obtain classified material from the other side and their allies.