The main ideology behind the Cold War was the ideological conflict between capitalism, led by the United States, and communism, led by the Soviet Union. This period, which spanned from the end of World War II in 1947 to the early 1990s, was characterized by political, military, and economic tensions without direct large-scale fighting between the two superpowers. Each bloc sought to expand its influence globally, leading to proxy wars, arms races, and ideological propaganda. The conflict shaped international relations and influenced domestic policies in various countries, creating a lasting impact on world history.