The Cold War was the dominant global conflict of the Twentieth Century. This volume begins with a discussion of the War’s roots, both deep and recent. It analyzes the early years of the War, immediately following World War II. It looks at the major events of the War and considers some of the themes that defined it as a military, economic, and cultural phenomenon. It closes with an examination of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a detailed timeline of the War.