What was the primary focus of the Cold War?

The primary focus of the Cold War was the sustained tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. This period, which lasted from the end of World War II until the early 1990s, was characterized by ideological, military, and political rivalry between the two superpowers.

Key elements of this tension included the arms race, with both nations building vast nuclear arsenals in a state of constant readiness, as well as proxy wars fought around the world, where the two sides supported opposing factions in various conflicts, such as in Korea and Vietnam. Additionally, the Cold War involved extensive propaganda campaigns, espionage, and the formation of military alliances—such as NATO by the US and the Warsaw Pact by the Soviet Union—that further solidified the divide between these opposing ideologies.

In contrast, the options that mention collaboration, economic cooperation, or peaceful resolutions do not align with the overarching narrative of the Cold War, where conflict and ideological rivalry dominated the relationship between the two superpowers.