The Cold War was the name given to the relationship that developed primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union (also known as the United Soviet Socialist Republic or U.S.S.R.). That Cold War would dominate international affairs from 1945 until about 1990 and many crises occurred due to the tensions between these countries. A clash of very different beliefs and ideologies (democracy versus communism) that were held with almost religious conviction formed the basis of an international power struggle with both sides vying for dominance and exploiting opportunities for expansion anywhere in the world.
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