The Cold War started soon after the end of World War II in 1945. Key moments marking its beginning include the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, where tensions emerged between the United States and the Soviet Union over post-war Europe, and the Truman Doctrine declared in March 1947 aiming to contain Soviet influence. The Cold War period was characterized by political, economic, and military rivalry but no direct armed conflict between the superpowers. The Cold War ended in 1991 with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which marked the collapse of the communist bloc and left the United States as the sole superpower. This ended the global geopolitical rivalry that had lasted for nearly half a century. In summary:
- Start: 1945 (post-World War II, with formal policies like the Truman Doctrine in 1947)
- End: 1991 (dissolution of the Soviet Union)
This timeline fits the widely accepted understanding of the Cold War's duration from 1947 to 1991, though the tensions trace back as early as 1945.
