Cold War Ideology The Cold War began after World War II. The United States and the Soviet Union experienced increasing tension during World War II. By the end of the war they had become mortal enemies. The powers between the two, however, were not equal, as the United States had a thriving economy while the Soviet Union's economy was in crisis. It was clear that the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in a power struggle, which became known as the Cold War. The ideology of the Cold War period can perhaps best be described, in May's words, as “consensus ideology”. (McDonald) The Cold War was characterized by mutual distrust, suspension