Ideological Factors:

The Cold War emerged primarily due to ideological differences between the capitalist West, led by the United States, and the communist East, dominated by the Soviet Union. The ideological clash stemmed from contrasting political systems and economic philosophies. The West championed democracy, free market capitalism, and individual freedoms, promoting a liberal international order. In contrast, the East advocated for state control of the economy, collective ownership, and centralized planning under communism, driven by the Soviet model.

Geopolitical Factors:

Geopolitically, the aftermath of World War II reshaped global power dynamics. The Soviet Union, having suffered immense human and material losses, sought security through expanding its sphere of influence in Eastern Europe and beyond. This expansionist policy, seen in the establishment of communist regimes in Eastern Europe, raised concerns in the West about Soviet intentions and territorial ambitions.

Triggers and Tensions:

Tensions escalated with key events such as the division of Germany and Berlin into East and West sectors, the Marshall Plan aimed at Western European recovery, and the formation of military alliances—NATO in the West and the Warsaw Pact in the East. Proxy conflicts in Korea and later Vietnam exemplified the global reach of the Cold War rivalry, fuelled by ideological competition and geopolitical maneuvering.

In conclusion, while ideological differences and geopolitical ambitions were central to the onset of the Cold War, it was the collision of these factors in the post-World War II era that entrenched a state of hostility, marked by ideological confrontation, military build-up, and global competition for influence. This era not only shaped international relations for decades but also defined the strategic calculus of superpowers, influencing global alliances and conflicts throughout the 20th century.