What competition emerged after WWII between the United States and the Soviet Union for global influence?

The correct answer is the Cold War, which refers to the prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union that started after World War II and lasted until the early 1990s. This competition was characterized by ideological differences, with the U.S. promoting capitalism and democracy, while the Soviet Union advocated for communism.

During this time, both nations sought to expand their influence globally, engaging in various proxy wars, propaganda campaigns, and forming military alliances such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The Cold War was marked by events such as the Berlin Blockade, Korean War, Vietnam War, and ultimately led to significant events like the Cuban Missile Crisis, emphasizing the intense rivalry without direct military conflict between the superpowers.

While the other choices relate to significant events or concepts from the same era, they do not encapsulate the broader context of the ongoing competition for influence and ideological supremacy that defined the Cold War. For instance, World War II was the global conflict that preceded this tension, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a specific event within the Cold War, and the Arms Race refers to the competition in military capabilities specifically, rather than the overall ideological and political struggle encapsulated by the term Cold War.