The major geopolitical conflict characterized by the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union is known as the Cold War. This period, lasting from roughly the end of World War II until the early 1990s, was marked by political tension, military rivalry, and ideological conflict between capitalism, led by the United States, and communism, spearheaded by the Soviet Union. The Cold War had no direct military confrontation between the superpowers but involved proxy wars, nuclear arms races, and espionage. It significantly influenced global alliances, shaped foreign policies, and led to significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.