Final answer:
The main features of the nuclear arms race were the development and testing of increasingly powerful nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union. It involved the creation of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines and had global consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main features of the nuclear arms race during the Cold War were the development and testing of increasingly powerful nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries sought to outdo each other in terms of weapons capability, leading to an arms race where more destructive and advanced weapons were created.
This competition for nuclear superiority was driven by the fear of being at a disadvantage and the desire to have a deterrent against a potential attack from the other side. It involved the testing of nuclear weapons, the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the deployment of nuclear submarines.
The arms race had significant global consequences, including an increased risk of nuclear war and the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology in other countries.