The Cold War primarily pitted the United States against the Soviet Union, two superpowers with opposing ideologies. The U.S. championed capitalism and democracy while the Soviet Union promoted communism and totalitarian governance. Their rivalry manifested in various arenas, including military build-ups, proxy wars, and ideological battles, such as the Space Race. The Cold War also influenced international relations and domestic policies in many countries around the world, leading to a prolonged period of tension that lasted from the end of World War II until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.