- Nuclear war: The Cold War was marked by a constant threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries had large nuclear arsenals, and each side feared that the other would launch a nuclear attack. This fear was heightened by the fact that both countries had developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which could reach each other's territory in a matter of minutes.
- Communist expansionism: The Soviet Union was a communist country, and many people in the West feared that it was attempting to spread communism to other countries. This fear was based on the Soviet Union's support for communist revolutions in countries such as Cuba, Vietnam, and Angola.
- The development of new weapons: The Cold War saw the development of a number of new weapons, including nuclear weapons, missiles, and biological and chemical weapons. People were worried about the potential for these weapons to be used in war, and they feared that the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union would lead to a nuclear war.
- The loss of freedom: The Cold War also led to a loss of freedom in many countries. In the United States, for example, the government imposed strict controls on political speech and dissent. In the Soviet Union, people were denied basic human rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.
- The global economy: The Cold War also had a significant impact on the global economy. The United States and the Soviet Union competed for economic dominance, and they used their economic power to influence other countries. This led to a number of economic conflicts, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
The Cold War was a time of great fear and uncertainty. People were worried about the threat of nuclear war, communist expansionism, and the development of new weapons. They also feared the loss of freedom and the global economy.