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The development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons by both superpowers created a climate of mutual distrust and fear.

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During these conferences, Allied leaders discussed the post-war reconstruction of Europe. Disagreements emerged over the political future of Eastern Europe, with the Soviet Union seeking to establish pro-communist governments and the U.S. advocating for democratic elections.

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Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan (1948)

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Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan (1948)

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The U.S. implemented policies to support countries threatened by communism and to aid in the economic recovery of Western Europe, which further heightened tensions.

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Formed in 1949, NATO is a military alliance of North American and European countries established primarily to counter the Soviet threat. The alliance was based on the principle of collective defense, meaning an armed attack against one or more member countries would be considered an attack against all. NATO aimed to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. Over time, NATO expanded to include additional member countries and played a significant role in maintaining stability in Europe during the Cold War.

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After the defeat of Nazi Germany, the power dynamics in Europe shifted. The Soviet Union sought to expand its influence in Eastern Europe, while the U.S. aimed to contain the spread of communism.

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The Warsaw Pact, formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, was established in 1955 by the Soviet Union and seven Eastern European countries. This alliance was created in response to West Germany's admission to NATO and served as a counterbalance to NATO's military presence in Europe. Like NATO, the Warsaw Pact emphasized collective defense and aimed to strengthen the Soviet Union's control over its satellite states. The pact facilitated military coordination and mutual defense among its members, reinforcing the Eastern bloc's security.

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The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was the last major European political and military incident of the Cold War concerning the status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of post–World War II Germany. The crisis culminated in the city's de facto partition with the East German erection of the Berlin Wall.

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One of the most critical moments of the Cold War, this confrontation brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The Soviet Union's attempt to place nuclear missiles in Cuba was met with a U.S. naval blockade and intense negotiations.

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The competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union extended to space exploration. The U.S. achieved a significant milestone by landing the first humans on the moon in 1969.

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In the 1970s, both superpowers sought to ease tensions through diplomatic efforts and arms control agreements, such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT).

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The U.S. supported South Vietnam in its fight against the communist North, which was backed by the Soviet Union and China. The conflict was a long and costly one for the U.S., ultimately leading to the withdrawal of American forces and the unification of Vietnam under communist control.

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The U.S. supported anti-communist regimes and movements in Latin America to prevent the spread of communism. Examples include the U.S.-backed coup in Guatemala (1954) and support for the Contras in Nicaragua during the 1980s.

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The Soviet nuclear arsenal peaked at around 39,197 warheads in 1986.

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The U.S. conducted 1,054 nuclear tests, with the first test on July 16, 1945, and the last on September 23, 1992.

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Between 1940 and 1996, the U.S. spent at least $11.3 trillion (in present-day terms) on nuclear weapons.

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The Cold War gradually came to an end with the policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who introduced reforms and sought to democratize the Soviet political system. The collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of the Cold War.