Examines the evolution of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991. Topics to be examined include: the debate over the origins of the Cold War; the creation of opposing alliance systems in Europe; the Asian dimensions of the Cold War; the significance of the Cold War for Africa and Latin America; the rise and fall of détente; the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet bloc. Attention is paid to the social and cultural impact of the Cold War.