What was the primary cause of the Cold War?

The primary cause of the Cold War was rooted in the ideological differences between the United States and the Soviet Union. After World War II, the U.S. emerged as a leading proponent of capitalism and democracy, while the Soviet Union championed communism and a one-party state. This fundamental clash of beliefs created a significant rift between the two superpowers, as each sought to promote its own political and economic systems globally.

These ideological differences manifested in various ways, influencing foreign policy decisions and leading to a series of proxy conflicts, where each superpower supported opposing sides in local wars and conflicts. This overarching conflict drove many actions during the Cold War, including the establishment of military alliances like NATO and the Warsaw Pact. While factors such as economic competition, territorial disputes, and the arms race played important roles in shaping the dynamics of the Cold War, the fundamental ideological struggle between capitalism and communism remained the central issue that defined the era.