If you grew up in America, you’ve probably heard about the Cold War—whether from history class, old political speeches, or even movies like Rocky IV and Top Gun . But when exactly was the Cold War, and why does it still matter to Americans today? The Cold War was more than just a standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union—it was a decades-long chapter that shaped U.S. foreign policy, military spending, and even pop culture. From 1947 to 1991, this ideological battle defined global politics and changed the way Americans lived, worked, and viewed the world. When Was the Cold War? The Cold War lasted from 1947 to 1991 , beginning shortly after World War II and ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Start: 1947 – Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan signaled U.S. opposition to Soviet expansion. Height: 1950s–1980s – Nuclear arms race, space race, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis. End: 1991 – Soviet Union dissolved, leaving the United States as the wo...