The Cold War was a period of intense geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, characterized by a nuclear arms race and a space race. This era of global instability was marked by proxy conflicts, such as the Cuban Revolution, and the constant threat of mutually assured destruction. As both superpowers vied for dominance, their technological advancements, including the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles and the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, fueled a climate of fear and competition that reshaped the world.