How long was The Cold War?

The Cold War lasted 46 years (1947 – 1991) across 6 major phases.

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Duration Overview

Duration

46 years

Start

1947 AD

End

1991 AD

Category

Conflicts

44 years (1947-1991). From the Truman Doctrine to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The longest sustained geopolitical confrontation in modern history.

Phases & Periods

Early Cold War 6 years

1947 AD – 1953 AD

Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade, NATO formed, Korean War.

Eisenhower Era 9 years

1953 AD – 1962 AD

McCarthyism, Sputnik, U-2 incident, Cuban Missile Crisis.

Vietnam Era 13 years

1962 AD – 1975 AD

Escalation in Vietnam, Prague Spring, Moon landing, Watergate.

Détente 4 years

1975 AD – 1979 AD

Helsinki Accords, SALT treaties, relative thaw in relations.

Second Cold War 6 years

1979 AD – 1985 AD

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Reagan buildup, 'Evil Empire' speech.

Collapse 6 years

1985 AD – 1991 AD

Gorbachev, Glasnost, Berlin Wall falls 1989, USSR dissolves 1991.

For perspective...

That's 46 years — roughly a human lifetime. Someone born at the start could have lived to see the end.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long was The Cold War?
44 years (1947-1991). From the Truman Doctrine to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The longest sustained geopolitical confrontation in modern history.
When did The Cold War start and end?
The Cold War began in 1947 and ended in 1991, spanning 46 years.

Related

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