In three to five sentences, describe how the arms race during the Cold War increased tensions.

The arms race during the Cold War increased tensions by fueling a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to create more advanced weapons and technology. The two superpowers invested heavily in their military capabilities and sought to outdo each other in development of nuclear weapons. This led to an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion, and increased the likelihood of a nuclear war. The arms race also became an important factor in the Cold War proxy conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, which further amplified tensions.

The arms race during the Cold War refers to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop and amass nuclear weapons and other military technologies. This race escalated tensions as both nations sought to outdo each other in terms of weaponry and military capabilities. The continuous build-up of arms created a sense of fear and mistrust, as each side was concerned about the other gaining an advantage. The arms race ultimately contributed to the heightened tensions and the threat of a nuclear conflict during the Cold War era.