The primary outcome of the Cold War was the emergence of the United States and the Soviet Union as superpowers, leading to a bipolar world order characterized by ideological, political, and military rivalry. The Cold War, spanning roughly from 1947 to 1991, included significant events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the arms race, which intensified global tensions. Ultimately, the Cold War concluded with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to the spread of democratic governance in Eastern Europe and a shift towards a unipolar world dominated by the U.S. The repercussions of the Cold War continue to influence international relations today.