Answer:
The greatest difference between the two countries was simply that American citizens generally thrived because of free market economic policy, whereas Russians suffered under the inefficiencies of their command economy.
During the Cold War, both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. adhered strictly to their chosen ideologies -- capitalism and communism, respectively. Perceived betrayals of these ideologies could result in serious consequences.
They also both developed massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons and were kept in check by the principle of mutually assured destruction.
Both sides distrusted and vilified each other, and each took sides in a number of global conflicts in Vietnam, Korea, and Afghanistan.
Explanation:
