The Cold War contributed to racial and ethnic tensions in former European colonies in several ways. Firstly, both the United States and the Soviet Union often supported opposing factions during independence movements, leading to conflicts between different racial and ethnic groups. Secondly, the ideological competition between the two superpowers further intensified divisions, with some racial and ethnic groups aligning themselves with either the capitalist or socialist blocs. Finally, the competition for resources and influence in post-colonial nations exacerbated existing racial and ethnic tensions, as different groups vied for power and resources. Overall, the Cold War further divided already fractured societies along racial and ethnic lines.
