The result of major turning points in the Cold War included a series of escalating confrontations and ultimately a shift toward diplomatic thawing. Key turning points, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union but also showcased the need for negotiation. The arms race led to a mutual recognition of the potential for global destruction, prompting treaties like the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). The eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of Cold War hostilities, ushering in new geopolitical dynamics and the spread of liberal democracy.