What characterized the Cold War?

The Cold War was primarily characterized by a competition for influence and power between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies. This geopolitical tension spanned from the end of World War II until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Unlike conventional wars, the Cold War did not involve direct military confrontation between the superpowers, but rather a series of proxy wars, arms races, and ideological battles for global domination.

During this time, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in efforts to expand their spheres of influence through various means, including military alliances, propaganda, economic pressure, and support for political movements worldwide. Notable instances of this competition include the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

While the other choices are related to aspects of the international landscape during the Cold War, they do not encapsulate its defining characteristics. For example, direct military confrontation is often associated with hot wars rather than the Cold War’s nature. Global prosperity refers to a separate era characterized by economic growth following World War II, rather than the competing ideologies of capitalism and communism that fueled Cold War tensions. Lastly, while economic alliances were a factor in the Cold War, they were tools within the broader