Western Bloc

• Liberal democracy and capitalism
• NATO collective defense from 1949
• Contain communism, protect allies

Eastern Bloc

• Communism and state control
• Warsaw Pact under Soviet leadership
• Expand influence, resist encirclement

Espionage

• Run covert human intelligence
• Plant and turn double agents
• Break codes and watch the enemy

Proxy Wars

• Arm opposing sides in regional conflicts
• Advance ideology without direct war
• Fight through allies, not armies

Nuclear Deterrence

• Mutually assured destruction held the line
• Fear of unacceptable loss prevented war
• Maintain credible retaliation

Propaganda

• Wage information warfare
• Spread disinformation and media campaigns
• Shape opinion at home and abroad

Space Race

• Compete in rocketry and computing
• Symbolize ideological superiority
• Project technological dominance

Key Timeline

• 1949 NATO formed, Soviets test the bomb
• 1961 Berlin Wall divides the city
• 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
• 1991 the standoff ends