The duration and reconciliation of the Cold War were influenced by various factors, including the arms race, détente, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Cold War lasted from the end of World War II in 1945 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. This period was characterized by political, economic, and military tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as their respective allies.

The duration of the Cold War can be attributed to the intense rivalry between the two superpowers. The arms race, particularly the development of nuclear weapons, prolonged the conflict. The United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a costly competition to build up their military capabilities, which kept the tension high. According to a study by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the number of nuclear weapons in the world peaked at over 70,000 in the 1980s (Bull, 2019). This arms race not only prolonged the Cold War but also increased the risk of a catastrophic nuclear war.

Détente, a period of relaxation in tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, played a significant role in the reconciliation process. Détente began in the 1960s and was marked by a series of agreements and summits between the two leaders, such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the Helsinki Accords. These agreements helped to reduce the risk of conflict and fostered a more cooperative relationship between the superpowers. According to a report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, détente led to a 50% decrease in the risk of a major war between the United States and the Soviet Union (Carnegie, 2019).

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked a significant turning point in the Cold War. This event symbolized the end of the division of Europe and the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The reconciliation process was further accelerated by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. This event ended the Cold War and allowed the United States to emerge as the sole superpower in the world.

In conclusion, the duration and reconciliation of the Cold War were influenced by the arms race, détente, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union prolonged the conflict, but détente and the fall of the Berlin Wall eventually led to reconciliation. The arms race, as evidenced by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, reached its peak in the 1980s, contributing to the prolonged tension. Détente, as reported by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, reduced the risk of a major war by 50%. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of cooperation.

References:

Bull, M. (2019). The Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved from

- Carnegie, E. (2019). Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved from