The historical context of the Cold War revolves around the ideological struggle between the United States and its allies (capitalism and democracy) versus the Soviet Union and its satellite states (communism). This period, spanning roughly from the end of World War II to the early 1990s, was marked by political tension, military rivalry, and a broad economic competition, but it did not escalate into direct military conflict between the superpowers. Instead, it involved proxy wars, nuclear arms races, and ideological battles played out in various regions across the globe, profoundly shaping international relations and domestic policies during that time.