The Cold War was a period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from 1945 to 1991. During this time, many influential figures emerged on both sides of the conflict. Two of these figures were SPY and MAO. SPY was a Soviet intelligence officer who was responsible for uncovering numerous American espionage operations in the 1950s and 1960s. MAO was the leader of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 1976. He was a major figure in the Cold War, leading China into a period of economic and social transformation.