What were the two primary causes of the Cold War?

The two primary causes of the Cold War were ideological differences and power rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

1. Ideological Differences: The United States represented a capitalist democracy which advocated for free markets, individual liberties, and democratic governance. Conversely, the Soviet Union promoted communism, a system that aimed for a state-controlled economy, lack of political freedoms, and a one-party rule. These fundamentally opposing ideologies were irreconcilable and served as a basis for tension and competition.

2. Power Rivalry: With the end of World War II, the global power structure was significantly altered. The United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two superpowers, each vying for international influence and dominance. This power rivalry translated into a race for military superiority, including the nuclear arms race, as well as contesting to expand their political ideologies across Europe and eventually worldwide.

Both the ideological and power rivalry dimensions of the Cold War led to proxy wars, political propaganda campaigns, and a series of confrontations throughout the second half of the 20th century.