History of Europe

What event had the greatest impact on world history since 1945?

The United States and Soviet Union emerged from World War II as the world's two dominant superpowers. The ideological and political differences between the two countries led to the Cold War, a period of intense rivalry and tension that lasted for decades. The Cold War shaped world politics, economics, and culture in profound ways and had a major impact on the course of history.

Some of the key events of the Cold War include:

- The division of Europe into two blocs, with Eastern Europe under Soviet control and Western Europe aligned with the United States

- The Korean War (1950-1953)

- The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

- The Vietnam War (1954-1975)

- The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) (1972)

- The collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

The Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but its legacy continues to shape world politics today. The rise of China as a global power and the renewed tensions between Russia and the United States are just two examples of how the Cold War continues to cast a long shadow over world affairs.