The primary conflict of the Cold War was the ideological struggle between the United States and its allies versus the Soviet Union and its satellite states. This conflict, which lasted roughly from the late 1940s until the early 1990s, was characterized by political tension, military rivalry, and the threat of nuclear warfare. Both superpowers sought to expand their influence globally, leading to proxy wars, espionage, and competition in technological advancements. The Cold War also spurred the arms race and shaped international relations, creating a division marked by opposing economic systems: capitalism in the West and communism in the East.