1. Nuclear weapons: The United States was the first country to develop nuclear weapons, and it maintained a significant advantage in nuclear weapons throughout the Cold War. This advantage gave the United States a major strategic advantage over the Soviet Union, as it could threaten to use nuclear weapons to destroy the Soviet Union if the Soviet Union attacked the United States or its allies.
2. Economic strength: The United States had a much stronger economy than the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. This gave the United States the ability to outspend the Soviet Union on military research and development, as well as to provide economic assistance to its allies. The United States also used its economic strength to embargo the Soviet Union, which further weakened the Soviet economy.
3. Technological superiority: The United States was also technologically superior to the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. This advantage gave the United States an edge in military research and development, as well as in the production of military equipment. The United States also used its technological superiority to develop new weapons systems, such as the intercontinental ballistic missile, which further increased its strategic advantage over the Soviet Union.
4. Political and cultural influence: The United States also had a significant amount of political and cultural influence throughout the world during the Cold War. This influence gave the United States the ability to build alliances with other countries and to promote its own political and cultural values. The United States also used its political and cultural influence to counter Soviet influence in the developing world.
All of these factors combined to make the Soviet Union afraid of the United States during the Cold War. The Soviet Union knew that it was at a disadvantage in terms of nuclear weapons, economic strength, technological superiority, and political and cultural influence. This fear helped to prevent the Cold War from escalating into a nuclear conflict.