Cold War tensions

Definition

Cold War tensions refer to the political, ideological, and military conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union (1947-1991) that resulted in a state of rivalry and distrust.

Analogy

Imagine two rival sports teams constantly competing against each other, always trying to outdo one another. They are always on edge, suspicious of each other's intentions, and this tension affects their interactions on and off the field.

Related terms

Arms race: The competition between the United States and Soviet Union to develop superior military technology.

Proxy wars: Conflicts where the United States and Soviet Union supported opposing sides without directly engaging in combat.

Iron Curtain: A term used to describe the division between Eastern European communist countries under Soviet influence and Western capitalist democracies during the Cold War.