The Cold War lasted from 1947 to 1991 and had a big impact on how countries formed alliances around the world. This time created a world that was pretty divided. Here are some important points to understand about the Cold War:

1. Bipolar World: The main conflict was between the United States and its allies, called NATO, and the Soviet Union along with its supporters in the Warsaw Pact. NATO started in 1949.

2. Military Alliances:

   • NATO began with 12 countries, but now it has grown to 30 countries.
   • The Warsaw Pact had 8 countries, showing the loyalty of Eastern Bloc nations.

3. Proxy Wars:

   • There were more than 20 conflicts around the world that acted like stand-ins for the bigger fight. Some key examples are the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and the Vietnam War from 1955 to 1975.

4. Post-Cold War Impact: After the Cold War ended, countries started to team up differently, often based on money and trade. This led to new groups like the European Union (EU) and ASEAN, which still shape international relationships today.