Describe the role of the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

Describe the role of the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

The Soviet Union played a significant role in the Cold War as one of the two major superpowers alongside the United States. It emerged as a global rival to the US after World War II, leading to a period of intense political, economic, and ideological rivalry between the two nations. The Soviet Union promoted communism and sought to spread its influence and control over Eastern Europe and other parts of the world, leading to the establishment of satellite states. It also engaged in an arms race with the US, developing nuclear weapons and competing for military superiority. The Soviet Union's actions, such as the blockade of Berlin and the Cuban Missile Crisis, heightened tensions and brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. However, the Soviet Union eventually faced economic and political challenges, leading to its collapse in 1991, effectively ending the Cold War.