Intro; Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Acknowledgments; Introduction; One: The Origins of the Cold War (1917-1945); Two: Containment and the Soviet Expansion (1945-1950); Three: The Hot Wars of the Cold War (1950-1973); Four: Détente (1969-1980); Five: Winning the Cold War (1981-1991); Conclusion: Lessons from the Cold War; Cold War Timeline; For Further Reading and Viewing; Notes; Index;The Cold War was a crucial conflict in American history. At stake was whether the world would be dominated by the forces of totalitarianism led by the Soviet Union, or inspired by the principles of economic and political freedom embodied in the United States. The Cold War established America as the leader of the free world and a global superpower. It shaped U.S. military strategy, economic policy, and domestic politics for nearly 50 years. In A Brief History of the Cold War, distinguished scholars Lee Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards Spalding recount the pivotal events of this protracted struggle.