The Cold War
Example: The Cold War shaped global politics for decades after World War II.
Definition
"The Cold War" refers to the prolonged period of political tension, military rivalry, and ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, lasting roughly from 1947 to 1991, without direct large-scale fighting between the two superpowers.
Etymology
The term "The Cold War" was popularized in the late 1940s to describe the state of hostility that stopped short of open warfare. It contrasts with a 'hot war' where active combat occurs. The phrase captures the chilling effect of the conflict, characterized by espionage, propaganda, and proxy wars rather than direct battle.
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"The Cold War" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - History - (B2) - set 1", containing 210 commonly used words.
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