The Cold War was a conflict between the US and the USSR. While they were allies during WW2, they disagreed as to how to rebuild Europe. However, they never engaged directly in combat, hence it was a cold war. They militarized and expanded their global influence, while attempting to undermine the other. The US believed in free market capitalism with a multiparty system. The USSR believed in a communist system controlled by a centralized state and a single party system. Both sides used propaganda to paint negative pictures of the opposing sides economic systems.$^1$

There were three key components of the war. One, the constant threat of nuclear war. Two, competing for the allegiance of newly independent nations. Three, the military and economic support from their enemy’s enemies.$^1$

The US entered the Cold war with an advantage. In the beginning of the war, the US had nuclear weapons and the USSR did not. They did not suffer as much as the USSR during WW2. Thy only lost 300,000 soldiers whereas the USSR lost 8-10 million soldiers. The USSR also got invaded but the US escaped nearly unscathed. As it did in WW1, WW2 benefited the US economy.$^1$