The Cold War was an escalating conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. During America's rise to power after World War II, conflicts erupted between America and the Soviet Union, resulting in a brutal rivalry. The Cold War was involved in the effort to contain the spread of communism, the extreme anti-communist vision in America, and the return of the civil rights issue. There was never a direct military confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union (Studio mode). The United States became involved in the Cold War because it believed that communism was a threat to the world. They believed they were protecting the world by containing communism (ENotes). In 1960, the United States sent Francis Gary Powers on a spy mission to the Soviet Union. He flew a U2 plane over the Soviet Union and was shot down and captured. The Soviets tried him for espionage. This event significantly hindered relations between the United States and the Soviet Union (Artorius). The Truman Doctrine stated that the United States would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent them from falling into the Soviet sphere. This made the Cold War worse because when the Soviet Union tried to conquer countries, the United States provided aid to the defending countries, which made the Soviets very angry (Office of Historian). The Marshall Plan offered financial aid to help all European countries rebuild after the war. The United States believed that if these countries had healthy economies, there would be no growth of communism. In reaction to the Soviet-built Berlin Wall, the United States created the Berlin Airlift which transported supplies to Berlin. Subsequently, Stalin decides to end the blockade (Slide Share). In 1949, the United States... middle of paper... in Massachusetts. In 1953, Kennedy married Jacqueline Kennedy. They had their first child, Caroline Kennedy, in 1957 and their second child, John Kennedy Jr., in 1960. They had another son named Patrick Bouvier, but he died a few days after birth. Kennedy had to undergo back surgery in 1954. In 1960 he ran for president against Richard Nixon and won (IMDb). During his presidency there were many conflicts. The main conflicts were the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. In November 1963, Kennedy and Jackie went to Texas. On November 22, 1963, John was going to give a speech in Dallas, but on the way Kennedy, who was traveling in an open car, was shot twice. One shot to the throat and the other to the head. Kennedy died in hospital at 1pm (IMDb). One of the most controversial assassinations happened to one of the United States' greatest leaders.