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, both countries developed and stockpiled weapons of mass destruction in order to deter each other from attacking. Two of the most prominent Cold War weaponries were MISSILES and intercontinental ballistic MISSILES (ICBMs). MISSILES are self-propelled weapons that can be launched from the ground or air and travel through the atmosphere to their target. ICBMs are long-range MISSILES that can travel thousands of miles and deliver nuclear warheads to their targets. Both MISSILES and ICBMs were used extensively during the Cold War as a means of deterrence.