Answer:During the Cold War era, the United States and the Soviet Union were hesitant to go to war with each other due to the threat of total destruction that would result from a nuclear war. The two superpowers were able to maintain a delicate balance of power and avoid direct military conflict in part because of the power of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) – the idea that if either side launched a nuclear attack on the other, the other would be sure to retaliate, leading to unimaginable devastation on both sides. This fear of nuclear war was further reinforced by widespread public sentiment in both countries against such a conflict, as well as pressure from the United Nations, which strongly opposed another world war.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Cold War era, the United States and the Soviet Union were hesitant to go to war with each other due to the threat of total destruction that would result from a nuclear war. The two superpowers were able to maintain a delicate balance of power and avoid direct military conflict in part because of the power of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) – the idea that if either side launched a nuclear attack on the other, the other would be sure to retaliate, leading to unimaginable devastation on both sides. This fear of nuclear war was further reinforced by widespread public sentiment in both countries against such a conflict, as well as pressure from the United Nations, which strongly opposed another world war.