The Cold War, 1948-1960 - AQABackground to the Cold War
After 1948 the Cold War entered a new phase. Moving beyond the borders of Europe, it spread to Asia and even into Space! At the same time the USA and the USSR greatly increased their nuclear arsenals.
After World War Two it was clear that the world had entered a new era. The old order of European powers, which included Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia, and which had dominated international relations around the globe, had disappeared. War had so severely devastated these European countries that they were no longer able to sustain and finance their previous world domination. The world now appeared to be divided into two main camps 鈥 one led by the USA, the other by the USSRUnion of Soviet Socialist Republics - collection of states, also known as the Soviet Union. 鈥 and by 1948 it was clear that these two superpowerCountries who have huge influence or strength, giving them significant global power. were locked into a major conflict.