The main ideological conflict during the Cold War period was between capitalism and communism. The United States, representing capitalism and democratic governance, opposed the Soviet Union's communist ideology aimed at abolishing private property and establishing a classless society. This rivalry manifested through various means, including proxy wars, arms races, and propaganda campaigns. Key events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, exemplified the geopolitical tensions resulting from this ideological struggle. The Cold War shaped international relations, influencing foreign policies, military strategies, and economic systems until its conclusion in the early 1990s.