The term "Cold War" refers to the prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies, roughly from 1947 to 1991. Characterized by a lack of direct military confrontation but marked by proxy wars, espionage, and ideological conflict, the Cold War influenced global politics. It saw the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the formation of military alliances such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, and significant events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, reshaping the global balance of power.