Causation: How US and Soviet Ideologies Shaped Global Interactions
A major global shift that mattered for many countries in the late twentieth century was the Cold War. The United States promoted capitalism and democracy, while the Soviet Union pushed communism and a one-party state. This ideological clash affected global interactions by creating two opposing camps that offered aid, military support, and political ideas to other nations. Countries often aligned with one side or tried to stay nonaligned, influencing decisions about independence, military alliances, and development. The competition led to proxy wars, arms races, and intense diplomacy, shaping how nations moved toward or away from certain political systems by the end of the century.