The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and Soviet Union after World War II. They disagreed on issues like government, economics, and power. While not a direct war, they engaged in conflicts by proxy and competed for influence around the world. The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962 when the US discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, bringing the two in a standoff until the USSR agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for assurances against invading Cuba. This event highlighted tensions and led to direct communication lines between the two nations.