The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, from the end of World War II in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. This conflict was characterized by political, economic, and military rivalry, as well as espionage and propaganda campaigns. The Cold War was fought indirectly through proxy wars, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War, as well as through technological advancements in nuclear weapons and space exploration. Both superpowers engaged in a nuclear arms race, which led to the development of massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons capable of destroying the world several times over. The Cold War also had a significant impact on society, culture, and global politics. It divided the world into two ideological camps, with the United States and its allies representing democracy and capitalism, and the Soviet Union and its allies representing communism. This division led to the formation of military alliances, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and influenced political and economic policies around the world. Although the Cold War officially ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, its effects are still felt today in terms of geopolitical rivalries, arms control agreements, and ongoing conflicts in regions that were once battlegrounds during the Cold War era.