The cold war started during the mid-1940's and lasted until early 1990. The United States and the Soviet Union and their respectives allies remained in conflict and competition during this period.

 Following the end of WW2, the Russian leaders took over  part of Berlin and put up a wall to keep the territory off limits to non Russians. This proved an obstacle for the rest of Germany, getting supplies in and out. The world began an airlift to provide the German people with their necessities and goods, and really began the cold war with most of the rest of the world. Eventually The wall was torn down and with it the cold war ended.