The Cold War was a conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted

from 1945 to 1991. The

conflict was rooted in the fundamental ideological differences between the two superpowers. The US believed in
democracy, capitalism, and individual freedom, while the Soviet Union advocated for communism, state
ownership of industry, and collective equality.

The tensions between the two nations were fueled by several factors:

Geopolitics: The US and Soviet Union emerged as superpowers after World War II, and both were eager to
establish themselves as dominant global powers. The US was wary of the spread of communism and sought to
contain its influence, while the Soviet Union wanted to spread communism and its ideologies and influence
beyond its borders. The two sides engaged in a series of political and military maneuvers, with the US forming
alliances with other Western countries and the Soviet Union establishing its own sphere of influence in Eastern
Europe. Which led to a different form of conflict because of the weapon of mad destruction both sides had.

Nuclear arms race: The development of nuclear weapons by both nations during the Cold War led to an arms
race and a dangerous standoff between the two superpowers. The fear of nuclear war was a constant threat, and
both sides invested heavily in their nuclear capabilities. The arms race was so intense that both nations had
enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other multiple times over. This created a situation of mutual deterrence,
where both sides had the power to destroy the other but were also afraid of the consequences of using their
weapons. The fear of mutually assured destruction, or MAD, kept both sides from engaging in direct conflict, but
also made the world a more dangerous place. That created a tense atmosphere and made both sides consider it a
last resort. But there some close calls that made humanity realize how big of a threat it is like the Cuban Missile
Crisis in 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a standoff between the US and the Soviet Union over the presence
of Soviet missiles in Cuba, which threatened US security. The crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear
war, as both sides were prepared to use their nuclear weapons. The crisis was eventually resolved peacefully, but
it was a stark reminder of the danger of the arms race.

Proxy wars: The United States and the Soviet Union were two of the most powerful countries in the world, and
each sought to expand its sphere of influence. The U.S. was concerned about the spread of communism and
sought to contain it, while the Soviet Union sought to spread its influence throughout the world. This led to a
number of conflicts and proxy wars, where the two superpowers supported opposing sides in conflicts in other
countries. For example, the Vietnam War was a proxy war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, with the U.S.
supporting the South Vietnamese government and the Soviet Union supporting the North Vietnamese
government. The US and Soviet Union fought several proxy wars in different parts of the world, such as the
Korean War, and the Soviet-Afghan War. These were conflicts in which both sides supported opposing factions,
often in different countries, without engaging in direct military confrontation. These proxy wars were fueled by
the geopolitical competition between the US and Soviet Union, as each side sought to expand its sphere of
influence.

Space Race: The Soviet Union and the United States were in a fierce competition to explore outer space, which
led to the launch of the first artificial satellite (Sputnik) by the Soviet Union, and the first human mission to the
Moon (Apollo 11) by the US. The Space Race was a symbol of technological superiority and political power,
and both nations invested heavily in their space programs. The competition intensified after the Soviet Union's
early successes, and the US eventually won the Space Race by landing astronauts on the Moon in 1969.

Economic competition: The competition between the US and the Soviet Union extended to the economic sphere,
with both sides trying to outdo each other in technological advancements and industrial output. The Soviet Union
was committed to state ownership of industry and central planning, while the US favored a free-market
economy. The US had a significant advantage in economic power, but the Soviet Union was able to achieve
rapid industrialization under a command economy. The competition between the two nations drove innovation
and technological progress, but also contributed to the economic challenges faced by both countries in the later
years of the Cold War. Economic competition was a central factor that fueled the Cold War, with the US and the
Soviet Union competing to outdo each other in technological advancements and industrial output. The Soviet
Union favored central planning and state ownership of industry, with a focus on heavy industry such as steel and
machinery, which allowed them to achieve rapid industrialization. Meanwhile, the US's free-market economy
allowed for more innovation and entrepreneurship, leading to a greater variety of consumer goods. The
competition between the two nations drove innovation and technological progress, but also resulted in significant
economic challenges for both countries.

For example, the US was known for its advancements in consumer technology, such as personal computers and
other electronics, which contributed to the growth of the information age. In contrast, the Soviet Union's central
planning allowed for the rapid industrialization of the country, with a focus on infrastructure and transportation.
However, this came at the expense of innovation and entrepreneurship, resulting in a lack of variety in consumer
goods.

The economic competition between the US and the Soviet Union had a significant impact on the global
economy. The two superpowers created rival economic blocs, with the US leading the Western capitalist bloc
and the Soviet Union leading the Eastern communist bloc. This led to a global division between the two spheres
of influence, with countries aligning themselves with one or the other, often resulting in economic sanctions and
embargoes. Overall, the economic competition between the US and the Soviet Union played a significant role in
the Cold War and its impact can still be felt today.

The Cold War not only shaped the political and social landscape of the world during its duration, but also left a
lasting impact on global relations and international security. The arms race and the threat of nuclear war created
a heightened sense of global tension, while proxy wars in places like Korea and Vietnam led to the loss of
countless lives. The lasting legacy of the Cold War is seen in the continued tensions between the US and Russia,
as well as the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons and the need for continued diplomacy and cooperation among
nations.

https://snl.no/den_kalde_krigen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I79TpDe3t2g&t=688s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIYy32RuHao&t=29s

Den kalde krig worksheet (ressuser)

https://ndla.no/subject:1:9132d125-4d8f-41a6-b61d-77741662d5a9/topic:4:182163/topic:2:157787/
resource:1:160261

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C72ISMF_D0

(help from friends and family too)